‘Trusted trader scheme’ to beat cowboy builders is announced

A new trusted trader scheme to help people avoid cowboy builders has been launched by the Government.

It forms part of a new clampdown to stop cowboy builders and rogue bailiffs exploring households.

This will be of benefit to agents and landlords seeking tradesmen for repairs as well as vendors who may want to improve their property to prepare it for sale.

It comes as Government research shows more than one in four adults who carried out home improvements work in the past 18 months experienced problems – whether it be projects abandoned halfway through, undue pressure on elderly people to overpay for shoddy work or even builders disappearing on holiday with upfront payments with little to no work completed.

Cowboy builders don’t just rip people off. They leave families with months of stress, the disruption of unfinished work, and that horrible feeling of being taken advantage of.”

Of these, one in three faced extra costs, losing an average of £750 of their hard-earned cash. In 2024, people lost more than £10.3 billion on home and garden maintenance costs due to losses, overpriced costs or unfair practices.

Businesses who sign up to the Approved Code will be able to demonstrate that they meet higher standards of customer service, transparency and dispute resolution.

There will also be a new system to protect people’s money during building projects with payments directly linked to key project milestones.

Putting cowboys out of business

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (pictured) says: “Cowboy builders don’t just rip people off. They leave families with months of stress, the disruption of unfinished work, and that horrible feeling of being taken advantage of. Not only that, but they give the vast majority of decent, hardworking tradespeople a bad name.

“So we’re putting the cowboys out of business. These changes mean you’ll now have the option to make sure your money is held safely and released bit by bit as the work gets done.

“It’s the latest in our series of everyday fixes to give people room to breathe and make Britain fairer. We’ve taken on subscription traps, fake discounts, and now we’re coming for the cowboy builders. Enough is enough.”

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds adds: “Your home is the biggest investment you make. While improving it can be stressful; we are helping families to avoid it turning into a nightmare.

“We’re taking action to protect consumers, support reputable traders and make sure people can spend their money with greater confidence and security.”