New research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has found that 12% of homeowners in Wales have personally lost money to rogue builders, due to poor or unsafe building work.
The financial impact in Wales has been an estimated loss of £239 million over the last five years, which equates to an average loss of £1,139 per person. Across the whole country an estimated £14.3bn has been lost.
FMB Cymru is calling on the next Welsh Government to work alongside colleagues in Westminster to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for building companies – to protect homeowners, as well as the reputation of good builders.
Currently, anyone can legally operate as a builder without needing to prove competence, qualifications or experience. Research earlier this year by the FMB and HomeOwners Alliance found nearly half of homeowners wrongly think builders are licensed and 81% of the public support the idea. The recommendation is also included in FMB Cymru’s Welsh Manifesto, which will be revealed in 2026.
Ifan Glyn, Director of FMB Cymru, said:
“Wales has a proud tradition of skilled local builders, but this research makes clear that too many homeowners are still falling victim to incompetent tradespeople. When communication breaks down or homeowners don’t feel equipped to ask the right questions, it becomes far easier for rogue builders to slip through the net.
“A mandatory licensing scheme would ensure that every builder meets minimum professional standards, giving consumers confidence, raising the overall quality of the industry in Wales – and protecting the reputation of those builders who do a brilliant job – like our members.”
The research also reveals that 30% of people in Wales have never hired a builder, suggesting that many homeowners have limited experience of navigating the construction market – making them more vulnerable to poor practice and hiring a rogue.
Ifan Glyn, Director of FMB Cymru, added:
“It can be very difficult to know where to go when looking for a builder you can trust. I would start with the FMB’s find a builder tool, if you cannot get a recommendation from a friend. That way, you can look for a builder that has been vetted by the FMB in your area.”
Beyond the financial impact, the research points to growing concerns about health and safety and consumer confidence. 12% of Welsh respondents said they felt unsafe or intimidated by a builder in their home – a higher proportion than in many parts of the UK – and one in five (21%) reported feeling uncomfortable when allowing a builder they didn’t know into their property. Satisfaction with completed work is also comparatively low, with only 33% of people in Wales saying the work met or exceeded expectations.