Government to crack down on cowboy builders

Tuesday, 18 March 2008 12:00 AM

The government has proposed a crackdown on cowboy builders in the UK construction industry, under the new Future Build Control (FBC) scheme.

FBC - a new initiative the government claims will assist building industry, local authorities and homeowners - recommends a more efficient risk-based inspection process for local authorities that focuses on the most dangerous failings of building contractors.

While it is hoped good builders, who comply with new regulations, will be relieved of the burden of unnecessary inspections, and cowboy builders will face tougher scrutiny.

A more systematic approach to the review of building regulations will also give the industry more certainty and allow better forward planning, argue the government.

"Homeowners have the right to expect their homes to be built and renovated to minimum standards set out in building regulations," said housing minister, Caroline Flint.

"I want to make life more difficult for the cowboy builders that are out there while letting the high-quality majority of the industry get on with the job. This should reduce the cost and burden of the process on both the industry and local authorities."

The government is launching a consultation on the plans, proposing:

• Freeing up more time and resources for local authorities to focus on areas of highest risk, by removing statutory notification stages.
• Introducing a periodic review of building regulations every three years, allowing the building industry to forward plan, rather than the current continual changes.
• Protecting homeowners from builders who intend to do major projects without proper planning, by restricting the use of building notices.
• Increasing powers for local authorities to tackle illegal or botched construction, including extending the existing time limits for enforcement to two years.
• The potential use of fixed penalty notices and stop notices.
• Improving the link between planning and building control through a seamless planning and building control service and more e-enabled internet services.

The proposals have already been welcomed by sections of the construction industry.

"These proposals will make a real difference to the building control system, shaping it to meet the challenges that the profession faces today," said David McCullogh, chair of the Building Control Alliance (BCA).

"We are determined to deliver a modernised and strengthened service and will continue to work closely with government to achieve this."

These sentiments were echoed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

"We fully support the government's intention to move towards a more planned approach to building regulation by clearly signposting changes and making them at the same time once every three years," said FMB director of external affairs Brian Berry.

"This has been a real concern to our members - this shake-up will save our members time and money and ultimately will make it easier for them to meet the required building standards."

Tags:
• uk property news