Full Breakdown
Trusted Payments Register Aims to Shield UK Homeowners from Rogue Builders
By Drooid · · How we work
New System Launched to Protect Consumers
The platform delays milestone payments by 24 hours and holds funds for completed work in escrow with the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman until both parties confirm satisfaction. Projects over £2,500 receive a two-year warranty, and traders who ignore ombudsman rulings can be barred from the app.
Rise of Rogue Builders and Consumer Losses
In recent years, “cowboy” builders have left many homeowners financially exposed. Citizens Advice reported that 4.8 million homeowners experienced problems with home-repair jobs in the previous 18 months, with 1.7 million paying extra to correct earlier work and an average loss of £750 per case; one in ten incurred additional costs exceeding £5,000.
Sheri Ingram, 35, recounts how builder Lee Slocombe was hired to remodel her ex-boyfriend’s house in the South Wales valleys. He removed structural elements, demanded further cash, and vanished after receiving about £14,000. Slocombe was later sentenced to six years in prison for defrauding nine victims of £400,000.
Similarly, 82-year-old Paul Boielle was approached by roofers, including David Vincent of Orpington, who overcharged him £30,000 for a roof replacement, took a £5,000 deposit, and delivered shoddy work that required re-doing. Vincent received a 28-month prison term after pleading guilty to fraud and unfair commercial practices.
Official Reactions
The scheme is slated to go live this month, fulfilling Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge for a crackdown on rogue builders.
Industry Criticism
Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insight at the National Federation of Builders, cautions that many reputable builders may opt out of Trusted Payments because they are busy and already deliver quality work. He argues for a “digital building passport” that logs all significant work and records substandard outcomes against the responsible builder, rather than relying on a voluntary register.
Verbatim Quotes
- “At the time, we believed him,” — Sheri
- “He pulled up the floorboards and removed the floor joists – he said they had wood rot and needed to come out – took out the staircase, took down the walls, and removed the ceiling,” — Sheri Ingram
- “They said they were doing work in the area and asked if I needed any roofing work,” — Paul Boielle