Battling Rogue Traders: Licence to Build

Written By Adam Carter

Introduction:

This week’s Podcast dives deep into the world of rogue builders, a costly and often traumatic reality for many homeowners in the UK. Me and LouBax speak to two very special guests, Sara Griffiths and Sam Davison, who’ve turned their unfortunate experiences with rogue builders into a nationwide campaign to help others avoid the same fate.

The Scale of the Problem


Did you know that rogue builders cost UK homeowners around £1.5 billion each year? For many, home renovations and building projects are significant investments, meant to create dream spaces for families to thrive. However, rogue builders often leave projects half-finished or, worse, dangerously unsafe. Sara Griffiths and Sam Davison shared their first-hand experiences of how these builders left them in financial ruin and their homes uninhabitable.

As Louise noted in the episode,

“It’s not just your finances at stake—it’s your sanctuary, your home.”

For both Sara and Sam, the emotional toll was just as damaging as the financial loss. These rogue traders exploit trust, leaving homeowners with hefty repair bills and a lingering sense of betrayal.

Meet Sara and Sam: Advocates for Change


Sara and Sam’s unfortunate experiences with rogue traders led them to join forces, advocating for stricter regulations and licensing in the UK building industry. They launched a petition for builder licensing, which quickly gathered momentum, gaining support from the Federation of Master Builders and several MPs. Their goal? To ensure competency and accountability across the industry.

As Sam, a police officer, explained,

“We’re not just doing this for ourselves. We’re doing it for every future homeowner who might become victim to rogue builders.”

Their story is a powerful reminder of how personal loss can fuel a mission to protect others.

Key Tips to Avoid Rogue Builders


Sara and Sam’s advice is invaluable for anyone considering a building project. Here are a few essential tips they shared on the podcast:

  1. Research Extensively: Don’t just rely on one recommendation (although recommendations from friend and family is a great place to start, they’ve got your back, hopefully). Verify the builder’s history, social media presence, and customer reviews, and check for industry accreditations.

  2. Ask for Evidence: A trustworthy builder will be more than willing to provide references, past projects, and clear documentation.

  3. Seek Multiple Quotes: Comparing quotes can help you identify any red flags, such as unusually low estimates that may indicate poor-quality materials or labour.

  4. Look for Licensing and Accreditation: Organisations like TrustMark offer reliable directories of accredited builders. Start with recognised platforms to ensure you’re hiring a competent workman.

  5. All online trader platforms are not equal!: Just because businesses appear on online comparison trader websites, that doesn’t mean they have been verified. It merely means that they have paid a subscription to that website and have undergone varying degrees of checks by whichever website they have signed up to. A lot of these platforms primary motivation is financial, not the safety and security of the consumers using the service to find traders or the quality of the work provided.

Moving Toward Safer Standards

Sara and Sam’s petition for mandatory builder licensing aims to protect homeowners by ensuring builders meet basic competency and safety standards. Licensing could help prevent rogue builders from starting projects they aren’t qualified to complete and give homeowners more leverage to seek recourse when things go wrong.

Listen to the Full Episode for More Insight


This episode of the Consumer Friend Podcast is packed with tips, stories, and insights on how to stay vigilant and protect your home. Sara and Sam’s resilience in advocating for change is both inspiring and essential for anyone planning a home project. Tune in to the episode for more tips on avoiding rogue builders and supporting their campaign for safer standards in the building industry.

Whether you’re considering a small home renovation or a full-scale extension, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Remember, it’s not just about finding a builder—it’s about finding the right builder.

Podcast Title: Consumer Friend Podcast – Protecting Consumers from Rogue Builders

Episode Title: Battling Rogue Builders: Real-Life Stories and the Call for Change

Release Date: 11 Nov 2024

Host(s):

  • Adam Carter

  • Louise Baxter MBE (LouBax)

Guest(s):

  • Sara Griffiths – Consumer advocate and victim of rogue building practices

  • Sam Davison – Police officer, advocate for change, and victim of rogue building practices

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Consumer Friend Podcast, Adam and Louise are joined by Sara Griffiths and Sam Davison, two advocates who share their personal experiences with rogue builders, highlighting the significant emotional and financial damage these criminals can cause. Sara and Sam discuss the importance of implementing stricter regulations and licensing in the building industry to prevent others from suffering similar ordeals. Together, they have launched a national campaign pushing for industry reform, emphasising the need for competency standards and accountability in domestic building.

Through heartfelt discussions, they reveal the personal toll of encountering unsafe construction, legal battles, and financial devastation, and how it has shaped their commitment to protecting others. The episode also covers practical advice for consumers on finding trustworthy builders and offers insights into the current campaign's journey through government processes.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Significant Financial and Emotional Impact: Rogue builders cost UK homeowners around £1.5 billion each year, leaving projects incomplete or dangerously executed.

  2. The Need for Industry Reform: Sara and Sam advocate for licensing builders, aiming to introduce accountability and competency standards similar to those in other professions.

  3. Challenges in the Legal System: Victims often struggle to seek justice due to limited resources in trading standards and the high costs of legal action.

  4. Support for Campaign for Licensing: Their campaign for stricter regulations has gained 10,999 signatures and is now attracting support from MPs and organizations like the Federation of Master Builders.

  5. Advice for Consumers: Research extensively, meet with past clients, verify company history, and use reliable recommendation sources to avoid rogue traders.

Notable Quotes:

  1. Sam Davison: “You put all of your trust in a builder, not realizing that if things go wrong, they don’t lose their livelihood or their home—you do.”

  2. LouBax: “The emotional impact, the stress of living in a building site, goes beyond finances. It’s your home, your sanctuary, being invaded.”

  3. Sara Griffiths: “We need licensing so these rogue traders can’t keep taking deposits, knowing they can just disappear. It’s a criminal act, and it’s time to close the loopholes.”

Resources & Links:

Follow Us:

This episode provides invaluable insights into the pitfalls of hiring unlicensed builders, the importance of proper regulation, and ways consumers can protect themselves. Tune in to support the campaign for change and ensure a safer, more accountable future in the building industry.

 

 

Possible snippets (if time to create)

Timestamps:

  • [03:00] – Sara and Sam share their personal experiences and the emotional toll of dealing with rogue builders.

  • [08:30] – The financial implications of rogue building practices in the UK, and the launch of the campaign.

  • [12:00] – Discussion on the current lack of licensing requirements in the building industry.

  • [17:00] – The impact of the campaign, including support from the Federation of Master Builders and MPs.

  • [25:00] – Practical advice on finding reliable, trustworthy builders.

  • [32:00] – Sam’s perspective as a police officer on the limitations of the justice system in protecting victims.

  • [37:00] – Closing remarks and how listeners can support the campaign.

Adam Carter
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