Federation of Master Builders

briley

Has anyone found that the Federation of Master Builders any use?

I used a builder partially because he was a member of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). This builder has since taken my money and now declares he has run out of money and stopped all work. I know he has done this with at least 7 other people and that at least 4 of us have complained to the FMB - but he is still listed as a 'reliable builder'.

When I spoke to the FMB they seemed to say that this builder will remain on their books as long as he pays his fees.

So is the FMB as useful as a chocolate teapot?

twopenny

Like many associations it's to look good.
See if you can find anything about needing an inspection or investigation into a builders quality?
I used to paint china and was pestered to join the Master Craftsmen guild for a fee. Nothing else needed. This seems to be much the same.
By displaying a badge of quality you demonstrate to clients you are a professional builder. That's if you pay a fee. 
https://www.fmb.org.uk

Doozergirl

briley said:

Has anyone found that the Federation of Master Builders any use?

I used a builder partially because he was a member of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). This builder has since taken my money and now declares he has run out of money and stopped all work. I know he has done this with at least 7 other people and that at least 4 of us have complained to the FMB - but he is still listed as a 'reliable builder'.

When I spoke to the FMB they seemed to say that this builder will remain on their books as long as he pays his fees.

So is the FMB as useful as a chocolate teapot?

It simply isn't true that a builder stays on the books as long as they pay their fees.

Have you made an official complaint to them about the builder?   There is a dispute resolution service and there is also an independent standards committee that can and does expel members that don't adhere to the code of conduct.  How far down that process have you got? 

There's a 17 point checklist and independent inspection process before you're allowed to become a member and a high proportion of applicants are turned down before ever being able to become a member.  It's not about the money, the FMB is not for profit.  

If you want to message me, I can ask some questions around it.  

Doozergirl

twopenny said:

Like many associations it's to look good.
See if you can find anything about needing an inspection or investigation into a builders quality?
I used to paint china and was pestered to join the Master Craftsmen guild for a fee. Nothing else needed. This seems to be much the same.
By displaying a badge of quality you demonstrate to clients you are a professional builder. That's if you pay a fee. 
https://www.fmb.org.uk

There absolutely is an inspection process, so it isn't the same.  

dil1976

Doozergirl said:

twopenny said:

Like many associations it's to look good.
See if you can find anything about needing an inspection or investigation into a builders quality?
I used to paint china and was pestered to join the Master Craftsmen guild for a fee. Nothing else needed. This seems to be much the same.
By displaying a badge of quality you demonstrate to clients you are a professional builder. That's if you pay a fee. 
https://www.fmb.org.uk

There absolutely is an inspection process, so it isn't the same.  

There may well be, but I know that the Electrical CPS schemes (NIC,Napit etc) also have a inspection process but it really doesn't cover much, and have never known anyone to "fail" one so always look upon these scams sorry I mean schemes as pointless unless they are government backed (see gas safe)

Doozergirl

dil1976 said:

Doozergirl said:

twopenny said:

Like many associations it's to look good.
See if you can find anything about needing an inspection or investigation into a builders quality?
I used to paint china and was pestered to join the Master Craftsmen guild for a fee. Nothing else needed. This seems to be much the same.
By displaying a badge of quality you demonstrate to clients you are a professional builder. That's if you pay a fee. 
https://www.fmb.org.uk

There absolutely is an inspection process, so it isn't the same.  

There may well be, but I know that the Electrical CPS schemes (NIC,Napit etc) also have a inspection process but it really doesn't cover much, and have never known anyone to "fail" one so always look upon these scams sorry I mean schemes as pointless unless they are government backed (see gas safe)

This government doesn't believe in regulation.   Part of the FMBs role is to lobby government for tighter regulation, but they're not interested. 

We can't win.  Those who pay to be vetted and inspected also pay for a full time team to try and influence policy makers into raising standards and yet we're accused of being part of a scam when the intention is exactly the opposite.   We're currently on the 6th housing minister in two years; who on earth is able to have a meaningful conversation when there's nothing but chaos.   

How many builders are there out there who pay into absolutely nothing, exactly? 

We don't pay to get work from the FMB, and there's evidently plenty of work out there, regardless of membership.   

briley

Doozergirl said:

Have you made an official complaint to them about the builder?   There is a dispute resolution service and there is also an independent standards committee that can and does expel members that don't adhere to the code of conduct.  How far down that process have you got? 

Yes, so far 3 of us have made complaints with no more than an acknowledgement of receipt. Just checked mine was 7 weeks ago. What is annoying: we know that this builder has taken on new work for others and is using their deposit to do work on other extensions. So these new people are going to end up in the same situation as us.

Doozergirl

briley said:

Doozergirl said:

Have you made an official complaint to them about the builder?   There is a dispute resolution service and there is also an independent standards committee that can and does expel members that don't adhere to the code of conduct.  How far down that process have you got? 

Yes, so far 3 of us have made complaints with no more than an acknowledgement of receipt. Just checked mine was 7 weeks ago. What is annoying: we know that this builder has taken on new work for others and is using their deposit to do work on other extensions. So these new people are going to end up in the same situation as us.

If you want to DM me with some details, I'll try to find out where it's at for you? 

Risteard

dil1976 said:

Doozergirl said:

twopenny said:

Like many associations it's to look good.
See if you can find anything about needing an inspection or investigation into a builders quality?
I used to paint china and was pestered to join the Master Craftsmen guild for a fee. Nothing else needed. This seems to be much the same.
By displaying a badge of quality you demonstrate to clients you are a professional builder. That's if you pay a fee. 
https://www.fmb.org.uk

There absolutely is an inspection process, so it isn't the same.  

There may well be, but I know that the Electrical CPS schemes (NIC,Napit etc) also have a inspection process but it really doesn't cover much, and have never known anyone to "fail" one so always look upon these scams sorry I mean schemes as pointless unless they are government backed (see gas safe)

The NICEIC Approved Contractor Scheme inspects vastly more jobs than the other schemes, so that's not entirely true. And I can assure you that contractors do fail to pass these (not me to be clear).

twopenny

Very interesting thread. I'm learning

As for Gas Safe, I had a lovely guy with the Gas Safe logo on everything. I think he may have been at one time but I can find no record of him now.

The reason I checked was after the event. I found him not servicing my boiler when he was supposed to and when I asked for help on a problem with noise in the pipes he had to bring a 'mate' who instructed him

mexican_dave

Trade association badges on letter-heads are in my opinion "for show". Your Gas Safe engineer who called-in a mate, might only be a GAS engineer not a plumber (your water pipes were knocking), but on the other hand is he a fraud? If you have a phone number or any contact for him, then maybe report it to Gas Safe. One day he might blow a house to bits, or worse!
Going back to building work, I always type-up a simple Scope of Works, of what I want built, a sketch if it helps. It soon sees-off cowboys! The Scope of Works can be a discussion document between householder and builder, enabling both to agree to the finer details before stating work. I usually confirm these details in an email: referencing the Scope document; the agreed cost ; timescales; and confirming appointment of the builder. This email is "gold" if you have to threaten to go to court. Caution - there comes a point when a job gets big or complex and you should call-in professional support: architect or architectural technician or surveyor, they can help avoid pitfalls eg how will you pay for "extras" & what is an "extra". Maybe a conversation over the phone with one of these is enough to set you on the right track?