Cowboy builder complaints in England and Wales nearly double as government readies new safeguards
Potential cowboy builder scams flagged by Citizens Advice rose from eight percent to 14 percent between 2022 and 2025, prompting a planned government crackdown.
Citizens Advice figures reveal that the proportion of home-renovation complaints flagged as potential cowboy builder scams grew from eight per cent in 2022 to 14 per cent in 2025 across England and Wales. The expense of remedial work reached £2.3 million in 2025, the highest recorded since 2022, but only a small fraction of complainants disclosed the total detriment cost, suggesting the real financial impact could be larger.
In response, the government plans to introduce a database of vetted traders and a payment system that releases funds only after project milestones are met, slated to start in September. The National Federation of Builders doubts the measures will stop rogue firms, while the Conservatives argue they add paperwork for legitimate businesses. The Federation of Master Builders welcomes the move but cautions that a voluntary scheme without regulatory backing may be insufficient.
Why it matters
Rising scam rates threaten homeowners' finances and prompt government action to improve consumer protection in the home-improvement market.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCentrist coverage emphasizes homeowners’ suffering from defects and mould and calls for a statutory ombudsman, while right-leaning coverage frames the issue as a rise in "cowboy builder" scams and stresses new government safeguards that critics say add bureaucracy.
CENTER
Highlights widespread building defects harming residents and pushes for stronger consumer protection through a statutory ombudsman.
RIGHT
Portrays the problem as fraudulent "cowboy builder" activity and focuses on government-led safeguards, while questioning their effectiveness and burden on legitimate firms.
The right emphasises
- complaints flagged as potential cowboy builder scams nearly doubled
- government plans for a vetted-trader database and milestone-based payment system
- builders doubt the measures will stop rogue firms and Conservatives say they add paperwork
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