Army of unqualified tradesmen botch home repairs

Published 18th Jun 2009

One in ten Britons have been forced to claim on their household insurance to correct sub-standard work
Elizabeth Colman

Insurers have warned homeowners of a surge in unqualified traders carrying out “dodgy” repairs to property.

More than 4.6 million ‘botch’ home jobs have been reported in the past twelve months, due to a “growing army” of unqualified traders, according to a survey by Lloyds TSB Insurance for Timesonline.

One in ten Britons have been forced to claim on their household insurance to correct sub-standard work on conservatories and roofing, alongside other home improvements, over the past year – a 16 per cent rise on last year - costing as much as £1,250 to put right.

Unregistered plumbers and builders were among the most frequently cited perpetrators of bad repairwork.

The rash of ‘rogue’ trading is being fuelled by a tougher economic climate, as unqualified workers seek out “cash in hand” maintenance work and homeowners look for the lowest possible price, Lloyds TSB said.

Unhappy customers were forced to pay an average of £1,250 to amend botched conservatories, £840 to correct building work and £640 on roofing.

It was not merely young homeowners who fell victim to unqualified tradesmen - according to the survey, those aged between 45 and 54 admitted to having to pay the most to patch up bad work at an average of £900 per household.

Phil Loney, managing director of Lloyds TSB Insurance, said: “Homeowners need to confirm traders’ full credentials and avoid the false economy of unqualified labour.”

The problem was most severe in the West Midlands where 52 per cent of consumers reported problems, followed by those in the East of England where 33 per cent had made a claim.

Nearly a third of all consumers admitted they made no checks at all on workers’ qualifications.

Plumbers accounted for 28 per cent of “botch-jobs” while builders were responsible for 16 per cent and decorators and gas engineers made up 9 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. Faulty plumbing jobs cost on average £316 to repair.

Source: ' Times '

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