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September 3, 2026
Homeowners will be protected from cowboy builders through a new trusted trader scheme and a payment system that offers more safeguards, the government has announced.
Businesses that sign up to the new Approved Code Scheme will be able to show that they meet higher standards of customer service, transparency and dispute resolution.
Plus, the new payment system will allow consumers to have their money held safely during a building project and released to their builder bit by bit, linked to key project milestones.
The announcement follows Citizens Advice research published in July 2026 that revealed more than one in four UK adults who carried out home improvement work in the past 18 months experienced problems. Of those, 37% faced extra costs, losing an average of £750 each.
The government also cites a survey carried out for the Competition and Markets Authority suggesting customers lost more than £10.3bn in 2024 on home and garden maintenance services due to losses, overpriced costs or unfair practices by traders.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Cowboy builders don’t just rip people off. They leave families with months of stress, the disruption of unfinished work, and that horrible feeling of being taken advantage of. Not only that, but they give the vast majority of decent, hardworking tradespeople a bad name. So we’re putting the cowboys out of business. These changes mean you’ll now have the option to make sure your money is held safely and released bit by bit as the work gets done.”
Separately, the Trusted Payments app is due to launch in early September, with more than 100,000 traders able to access it by the end of the month. The government says the Approved Code will be live with its first retailers by the end of September and fully live by December 2026.
James Walker of Trusted Payments said: “We welcome this move by Government. Working with initiatives like Trusted Payments will immediately deliver the increased consumer protection the market needs, so consumers can spend money securely.”
Commenting on the payment system, Paula Higgins, CEO of HomeOwners Alliance, said:
“We strongly welcome the Government stepping in to protect homeowners from rogue traders. The real prize here is not simply another badge for builders to display, but changing how the money moves. Handing over thousands of pounds upfront leaves homeowners dangerously exposed. Linking payments to clearly agreed stages should protect families while ensuring reputable builders are paid promptly as the work progresses.
“However, homeowners will understandably ask why a new Approved Code is needed when TrustMark is already described as the Government’s only endorsed quality scheme for work in the home.
“Rather than adding more badges and organisations, ministers need to explain clearly how these schemes fit together, who is ultimately accountable and where a homeowner should turn when something goes wrong. If industry insiders struggle to understand the structure, consumers cannot reasonably be expected to navigate it.
“The Government also needs to License Builders. The risks to homeowners are significant. As a nation we need to end the horror stories of financial and emotional abuse people suffer at the hands of rogue builders. This happens because anyone can can call themselves a builder. Much better protection is required.”
Find local builders with our partner the Federation of Master Builders.
Knocking on your door uninvited offering their services is one of the biggest signs of cowboy builders. Other red flags include offering a low quote but without proving a contract and a reluctance to offer references. Asking for large deposits up front should also raise alarm bells and beware of being asked to pay cash.
Find more information on what to watch out for in our guide How to Find Good Builders.
Yes. If they are part of any schemes or associations, do report any poor service. You should also report them to your local Trading Standards department, who have the power to make them improve their standards – and even to stop them from trading.
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