Mandatory licensing taskforce launched
18th June 2019

Trade and consumer organisations, including the GGF, Fensa, TrustMark and the Federation of Master Builders have come together to look into a mandatory licensing scheme for all UK companies in the construction sector.

The Construction Licensing Taskforce was formed following independent research detailing the benefits of such an all-industry scheme and in the light of FMB statistics showing 77% of UK SMEs and 78% of consumers would welcome mandatory licensing for all companies involved in construction.

The Taskforce will be chaired by Liz Peace CBE, former CEO of the British Property Federation, who said: “Mandatory licensing has the potential to transform our industry into a world-leading sector. Licensing will help drive up standards and help address the issue of quality and professionalism, which is some areas, is falling short. At the heart of what we’re trying to do is increase protection for the ordinary person who engages with the construction sector.

“Indeed, according to research by the FMB, one third of homeowners are so worried about having a bad experience with their builder, they are putting off commissioning construction work altogether. This could be costing the economy as much as £10 billion per year.”

“The Task Force will be supported by major players and in an industry that is often criticised for being too fractured and disparate, I am heartened by the fact that the sector is coming together to lead the industry in a new direction.”

The FMB research also revealed that 90% of homeowners believe rogue and incompetent traders should be criminalised and over half of respondents who commissioned home improvements had a negative experience with the contractor.