Background
The Government’s call for evidence asked how skills, competence, accountability and professional standards should be improved across the built environment. The FMB’s response focuses on the experience of small domestic building firms, particularly those working in construction and repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI). We argue that future reform must make it easier for consumers to identify competent builders, while supporting responsible firms to develop and demonstrate high standards.
Executive summary
- The FMB supports the Government’s ambition to improve competence, accountability and trust across the built environment.
- Our response focuses mainly on the experience of small domestic building firms working in construction and repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI).
- We argue that the current system is too fragmented, with no clear minimum competence requirement for domestic building companies and too much reliance on voluntary schemes.
- Consumers often find it difficult to identify competent builders, while responsible firms can struggle to distinguish themselves from those that do not invest in high standards.
- We call for the introduction of a proportionate licensing system for domestic building companies to improve competence, professionalism, accountability and consumer confidence.
- Licensing should be supported by clearer routes into training, ongoing professional development and practical support for builders to keep pace with changing regulation, technology and construction methods.
- We highlight the need for stronger skills support in the RMI sector, particularly around existing homes, retrofit, ventilation, moisture management and how homes perform.
- Future reform should bring competence, accountability, consumer protection and workforce development together, rather than relying on disconnected voluntary schemes.
