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About us The Federation of Master Builders is the largest trade association for the UK construction industry and a not-for-profit organisation that is run by members for members.
Our mission We support small and medium-sized construction companies to grow and manage their business by providing a wide range of support services such as contract templates, unlimited expert advice, online training, and access to a community of fellow professional builders.
Our members must pass an independent inspection and strict vetting process before they join the FMB to ensure they meet the high standards expected of a Master Builder company.
We also connect clients with professional, local builders they can trust through our free Find a Builder service. Our series of ultimate guides for home renovation projects helps clients to understand what to expect during a building project.
Reviews 641
David Robert Grant.
Dec 22,2019Millennium building and plastering owned by Wayne Griffiths in Pontardulais recently carried out work in my house remodelling my bathroom . The work was carried out by a team of excellent tradesmen and produced an amazing result . I would highly recommend this firm to anyone. Thank you .
Lisa
Nov 21,2019Harriet Lee have not only ceased to be a member they also decided they were going to liquidate the company on the very same day which one can only assume was down to the dangerous, non compliant mess they left us in and with a legal claim for remedials totalling £114k against them, looks like they took the cowards option. With structural reports, independent surveyor reports, building control issues, roofing reports etc as long as your arm they had no where to hide but to cease. You didn't respond to my question previously regarding the credentials required to become a member and what physical checks you as a company carry out to protect the victims of these types of disasters. I cannot believe that during our project Harriet Lee were 'award winners 2019' and the Gwynedd home 'BLEW JUDGES AWAY'! They certainly blew us away when they broke the contract, removed themselves and our materials from site leaving a trail of Building breaches behind. Has Rachel Greenley been removed from being a board member from the FMB? I would sincerely hope so. Is there any point in contacting the disputes team for a third time, well unless we can make a financial claim against their policy I don't see what you can do. North Wales live are interested in running a story to follow up from this and you may be asked to comment. I will look forward to receiving your prompt response. Kind regards
Ana M Rodriguez de Ledesma
Nov 18,2019The FMB has been very supportive throughout the whole process. They have always been very easy to contact, extremely patience and understanding, and diligent in their mediation. Thanks to their efforts, most of the things were solved. However, and very unfortunately, my dispute with the builder is still ongoing – his lack of professionalism and extremely poor quality of work has been an absolute nightmare for more than a year. Therefore, it is difficult to understand how builders like mine, who clearly are not up to the standard and who cannot be trusted, are allowed to have this type membership. Many thanks, Ana
AZ
Nov 10,2019Hi FMB, On 24th January 2019 FMB wrote* in relation to DJS Building Solutions Ltd, “We have come to the decision to remove the company” and continued, “this means that neither of our processes (ie for reporting members) are eligible for use as the company would no longer be active members of the FMB”. FMB further confirmed, “This is to be actioned for Friday the 1st February 2019”. After it was pointed out to FMB this would cause injustice to the client (a situation others have drawn attention to), FMB wrote on 30th January 2019* confirming both FMB management-level involvement in the case and, “we have come to the agreement that we will attempt mediation before the removal of the member” concluding, “when we get to a stage where we reach a satisfactory/unsatisfactory outcome and your process has been exhausted with us, we will action the removal of membership.”. That FMB intended to expel the firm is thus perfectly clear. The original question was, “How reliable is FMB or its members” – the answer would seem to be ‘not very’! FMB confirmations of action, eg expulsion, count for nought, so problematic firms feature alongside those who are not, devaluing membership for ‘genuine’ firms and making the list of members meaningless for consumers. *Trustpilot: if you would like to verify these, please get in touch – thank you.
Easter Development(london) Limited
Nov 02,2019We recently engaged FMB to mediate between ourselves and our client to resolve a dispute. We are really pleased that the situation has been resolved amicably and we are able to return to complete the work for our clients. FMB were really helpful and explained each process clearly to our clients, they negotiated on our behalf and bought the dispute to a favourable outcome. We would not have achieved this so quickly without their input.
Richard Gill
Oct 03,2019Having recently had a very poor experience with an FMB ‘Master Builder’ and the FMB Disputes process I have come to the conclusion that the FMB serves little purpose to both the consumer or the builder. Without going into too much detail as the case is subject to litigation I hired an FMB Master Builder to complete some works, we used the FMB contract (which obliges the builder to participate in the Disputes Process) and the work commenced. As the problems began with the builder I initiated the FMB Disputes Process. The FMB were slow to acknowledge my complaint, citing internal computing issues. The FMB contacted the builder for a response but the builder failed to adhere to the FMB’s timelines, the FMB continued to extend the respond deadline adding delay. When questioned about the process the FMB presented a weak and shifting defence further wasting my time. At the end of the process I was told by the FMB that they do not deal with breach of contractual disputes, only build quality issues. If this had have been made clear at the beginning of the process it would have saved a lot of time and effort. Now the builder has reportedly been expelled from the FMB yet they are not listed on the expelled members part of the FMB’s website. This could lead to a situation where other unsuspecting consumers falsely believe the the builder in question is still a member of the FMB and award a contract accordingly. I have raised this issue with the FMB yet the answers received lack transparency or purpose. In Summary, if the FMB provides little consumer protection then why would a consumer have any confidence in its services or its members. If the consumer has no confidence in the FMB then why would any building firm wish to become a member.
Kerry Gregory
Sep 02,2019We signed a contract with a local building firm using the FMB contract. They were on the FMB's list of so called 'Master Builders'. However, the building company were truly awful. We contacted FMB about the company and the use of the so called Dispute process and were told that the building company had actually been struck off by the FMB recently (by this I within mean days of contacting the FMB) so they could no longer help. Awful builders being supported by a rather weak trade association. Avoid FMB contracts at all costs I would say as they are quite meaningless.
Mr Smith
Aug 30,2019The FMB responded promptly to my concern. The information they required and the form to be filled in was explicit. The concern was dealt with the the FMB member. The FMB responded promptly in their courteous manner. William Smith, Giffnock, Glasgow
RY
Aug 21,2019In response to the FMB comment... A defensive response. In the spirit of openness and transparency I expect that all phone calls are monitored and recorded. I would like a copy of that recording to prove my alleged aggressive behaviour. Currently there is only the case handlers word for this. Furthermore - what is your definition of aggressive? My experience was that I had an aggressive case handler who in fact told me to pursue my grievance with Checkatrade instead of the FMB - not a professional comment at all. This is a clear cut case of colluding and protecting your own staff and not admitting that there could have been errors in the behaviour of your staff. I am not an aggressive person and indeed if I was the contents of my post would have been stronger. My encounter with the FMB has been most unfavourable. To me it is not an organisation which demonstrates integrity - certainly not the disputes resolution team at least. Quite clearly from the response I received from the FMB to this post and that from the case handler verbally it is an organisation which is challenged daily; frustrated case handlers who get ratty and then accuse others of being aggressive and one that clearly has a lot of complaints to handle. Hence accusing someone without evidence of being aggressive is one way of lessening the case load. DON’T WASTE TIME LOOKING FOR AN FMB REGISTERED BUILDER If you think that your builder with FMB registration will provide you with a better quality service than one without you are wrong. I did what many people would have done - contacted the FMB to receive assurances that their member is vetted, a competent person blah blah and that if anything were to go wrong there is a conciliation process that all builders have to engage in. Great I thought - gives me some peace of mind. Like many others experiences, the builder did a bad job and absconded with my money. How did the FMB help me? I’m sure you can guess what’s coming next....they did not. No surprises there. For those of you who are not familiar with their complaint process. They invite the member to engage in conciliation and wait 10 working days. No response from the member so they write again. In the mean time you call the FMB to find out where you are at with the complaint and stage of conciliation (because they do not keep you up-dated). You ask your case handler a few challenging questions and what happens next? You case is closed because of your unreasonable behaviour! Case closed means no consequences for the builder ... I get penalised because case closed builder gets to stay FMB registered! Sounds like a case manager with a sensitive disposition who was having a bad day. I tried to complain about my case being closed and was informed tough luck, it’s not about you but how you made our staff member feel... more specially “we have to consider how your behaviour affects our staff to manage their workload”. WOW. I have done some research about the integrity of this organisation and time and again have read how the FMB have let down consumers. But then according to my case handler “we are not here to protect the consumer”. So my rogue builder is allowed to continue to wreak havoc and ruin lives. However, the FMB did inform me that they may from time to time conduct more checks on him ... whatever that means. My advice would be don’t waste time hoping that your builder who is FMB registered will be any different from the rest; he can still be a cowboy builder. And if he does not engage in conciliation then you are at a a dead end and the FMB will tell you to find your own solution. Furthermore do not challenge the case handler, do not vent frustration, be humble or else like me you will find that your case is immediately closed.
AV
Aug 14,2019That’s all well and good but you are being a tad disingenuous considering the builder was STILL a member up until yesterday ( after my post dated 10th August 2019). You still failed to investigate him properly 3 years ago and most importantly REMOVE him at that time. He was free to wreak havoc for a further 3years. It took the police to investigate and prosecute for you to take any notice. In the end you ONLY removed him as he is now a convicted criminal and you had no choice but to expel him. Let’s be clear FMB are still just a club accepting anyone and everyone and offer zero confidence to the public looking for good builders. My advice is don’t bother with FMB, instead go with recommendations, speak with previous customers and do your own research.
Kristina
Jul 28,2019Very disappointing response from FMB. We hired our builder based on his FMB's membership, only to find out, right from his first week, that he was a proper cowboy-type. After reporting him to trading standards we find out his got more than 30 complains....really? Shocking to see FMB not to take any action but keep letting him use his membership to give his victims the "security" aspect when preparing his contracts...After 2/3 of the whole value paid, he left us with a roofless house, just a tent-type, not even proper cover, for 3 months. Every single time that was raining water was going through our ceiling's electric appliances , a really scary scene being a family with 2 small kids leaving under it. We were following every single step FMB told us, trying to get builder back and finish his work. A few surveys proved the job done was not even 1/3 of the whole project formaly agreed by contract. We were left still on the first stage of loft conversion, when he decided to walk out and disappeared. Failed three times to meet the building contril inspector, excuses everytime different... After more than a month of waiting we received letter from FMB that builder is not anymore member so they can't help us anymore. That was shocking, we spend time waiting and we receiving this letter. Useless! So, what's the point then of a contractor being a member, from the client's security point of view? I can tell you: none!!!
Bas A
Jul 16,2019I emailed them with a complaint about one of their members. They said I had to complain to their member about it. FMB seemed to want to deal with it impartially and replied very quickly.
Mike Johnson
Jun 25,2019Had one of the most unpleasant customer service experiences I can remember in a phone call today. I had a very simple enquiry and the lady on the phone was not only unhelpful, but rude. Quite clearly interested in one thing.... how much money they can extract from builders. Clearly evident in their poorly trained and unskilled phone staff.
Mary Cross
May 11,2019The Federation of Master Builders are not to be trusted. Any cowboy can pay their fees and join them. We were unfortunate enough to trust the recommendation of FoMB and ended up with a deceitful builder who wreaked havoc on our cottage - he caused a flood, near fire and incorrectly wired a range cooker. I complained to The Federation of Master Builders who did absolutely nothing. This “Builder” is still on the Federation of Master Builders website so anyone could and is still using him.
Robert
Apr 16,2019I have just concluded a mediation (or ADR = Alternative Dispute Resolution) process, with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) acting as intermediaries in a dispute with a builder. Although the process failed and the builder has refused to return to site to rectify the issues identified by a Professional Surveyor's Report the FMB Case Handler was excellent and provided superb communication. The Case Handler explained the intricacies and limitations of the ADR process very well. Any frustrations I experienced were due to the Builder's lack of engagement, delays in responding and refusing to answer questions raised. As a consequence I will now be taking this case to a small claims court. However, the FMB ADR process has allowed me to refine and appreciate further the issues raised and I actually feel much more confident of a positive final outcome. It has taken time but on reflection it has made my argument even more powerful. Additionally I have now initiated a Membership Monitoring Process with the FMB with the view to having the FMB investigate this builder (both for his work on my property and his lack of realistic engagement with the mediation process). Again, the ADR process, supported by a very able FMB Case Handler has made initiating this very straightforward. Although the outcome for ADR isn't what I wanted I have learnt a great deal through it about contract/ construction process/ surveyor's/ Building Control and Standards etc. and so I feel it has been an enormously beneficial process for any further building work I might consider in the future. Thank you FMB!
Kiffy
Feb 27,2019fantastic quality and service from what must be the best builders in Wales
Mr Ram Gnanasekaren
Feb 26,2019LMG builders was introduced by my bank manager and their job was very good. Great service, finish and professionalism. Would highly recommend!
Peter Moir
Feb 26,2019MCK Construction in Montrose are a truely great company offering a bespoke service to those lucky enough to engage MCK for there work. The fact that they are members of FMB gave me enormous comfort that they were accredited and came with proper contracts etc. Well done FMB.
Mr Paul Seccombe
Feb 22,2019Awesome Company !
Ann Demaret
Jan 17,2020Replacement lintels and new porch step Wayne was a pleasure to have in the house . His work was professional and very well carried out. He was extremely conscientious and punctual and I recommend him as a builder 100%. Excellent.