Warning on lack of trusted builders

12/5/15

By Josie Clarke

British property owners are not doing upkeep and repair function because they can’;t uncover builders and other tradesmen they can trust, according to a survey.

Finding trusted tradesmen has turn into such a difficulty that housing stock could be in a state of disrepair across regions of the UK, the Homeowner Survey from the Homeowners Alliance and TrustMark identified.

Far more than half of property owners (58%) mentioned they had difficulty locating a trusted builder to assist with repairs or improvements, with 12% of these men and women not undertaking the operate and 26% delaying the project.

Some 40% carried out the repairs or DIY themselves, 27% did only the vital perform and 28% utilized tradesmen they were uncertain about.

Maintenance one of ‘biggest challenges’;

Homeowners Alliance chief executive Paula Higgins stated: “Performing repairs, upkeep or improvements to your property are some of the most significant challenges homeowners face.

“And they discover it far much more challenging than it must be to discover a reputable builder or tradesman to aid them.

“For many it is really rightly a significant cause of concern – we have all watched these Tv shows about cowboy builders and how your dream can turn into a nightmare.

“What is especially worrying is that desperate property owners are locating it so hard to uncover good builders that they resort to delaying operate, or just not performing it all.

“The difficulties of receiving very good builders mean our national housing stock is ending up in a state of disrepair, affecting the lives of millions of householders.”

Botched jobs

Liz Male is chairwoman of the government-endorsed TrustMark “find a tradesman” scheme.

She stated: “A nation of home owners is at the mercy of leaflets by way of the door or findanyoldbuilder.com websites due to the fact they don’;t have a ne2rk of nearby tradespeople they can turn to.

“The price we pay are properties lacking TLC, an ever-deteriorating housing stock and the economic burden of £1.9 billion a year paying to fix botched jobs by tradesmen who have been just not certified to do the perform.

“This is a ridiculous predicament when we know there are so a lot of exceptional tradespeople out there who are completely committed to undertaking good quality function and outstanding client service.”

Warning on lack of trusted builders