Homeowners across Essex have lost an estimated £448 million over the past five years to unqualified or unlicensed builders, according to new constituency-level research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) — as the trade body renews its call for mandatory licensing to protect consumers.
Colchester is the hardest hit constituency in the county, with homeowners there losing an estimated £29.0m, closely followed by Thurrock (£28.8m), Harlow (£27.7m), Chelmsford (£27.5m) and Braintree (£27.2m) — meaning the five worst-affected constituencies alone account for nearly a third of the county’s total losses.
The figure spans all 17 Essex constituencies, from Basildon and Billericay to Witham, and reflects a wider crisis across the East of England, where 12% of homeowners report losing money to a rogue or unqualified builder, with an average loss of £2,612 per affected household. More than a third (38%) of homeowners in the region have hired a builder later found to be unqualified or unlicensed.
Essex’s experience mirrors a nationwide picture. FMB research shows UK homeowners have lost an estimated £14.3 billion over the past five years to rogue or unqualified builders, with some individuals losing more than £10,000. Victims report prolonged disputes, legal costs and disruption linked to unsafe or incomplete work — with many forced into debt or taking on second jobs simply to cover the cost of putting things right.
Locally, the picture is stark: more than a fifth (21%) of Essex homeowners have lost money to an unqualified or unlicensed builder, and only two in five (39%) were completely satisfied with the final result of their building work.
Nicola De Sousa, FMB Regional Director, said:
“It’s just sad. I speak to a lot of homeowners and there’s a genuine anxiety about who they’re inviting into their home, and that breaks my heart, because most builders are decent, hardworking people. The industry’s reputation has been damaged by a minority, and that’s not fair on anyone. Licensing would change that. It gives builders a way to prove they’re legitimate before they’ve even stepped over the threshold. Until then, choosing an FMB member is the closest thing homeowners have to that reassurance. Essex people deserve to open their door without that knot in their stomach.”
FMB member Simon Domakin, of Woodstone Homes in Chelmsford, concluded:
“What I’ve noticed over the years is there’s definitely been a shift. Homeowners are more cautious now – they’re friendly, but they’re watching, and honestly, I get it, because there are people out there who let them down badly. I’m currently on a job fixing water damage where the previous contractor had to leave site because they didn’t have the right insurance or accreditations. That’s exactly why licensing matters. If it comes in, I’d be proud to carry that confirmation – proud to be an accredited, licensed building contractor. It would mean homeowners can open the door and actually trust the person they’ve let in.”
The FMB is calling on the Government to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for builders to restore trust in the industry and protect homeowners from rogue traders, as part of its ongoing Licence to Build campaign.