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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
Mr Greenhalgh
Feb 21,2019A major home construction project, there was potential for all kinds of worries, but Peter, Liam and the whole team made it an experience which we thoroughly enjoyed. Their attention to detail, their re-assuring manner and totally professional approach are qualities of which they can be justifiably proud. The house is one of the best in the town, and the comments of admiration we have received have been unbelievable. We would have no hesitation at all in recommending them for any building project, large or small.
Robert Knight
Feb 14,2019I will not at this stage name the builder in question, and he is not working for me, but is working on an adjacent property to mine. So far :- he has excavated a trench some 2 metres deep, less than 2 metres from the external brick wall of my property, without advising me and therefore without implementing the party wall etc act, totally ignoring the 3 metre rule and 6 metre rules. and More important, THE LAW! My fence which is adjacent to this trench is being compromised, one post is already leaning slightly, two other posts are damaged, although the digger operative did admit to this and says it will be replaced. Broken asbestos sheets are also strewn on the front garden, which surely is a health hazard Less importance because most of this hopefully will disappear along with the builder :- dirt in the road and pavements, ruined grass verge, dustbins left on pavement, van parked in such a way as to totally block the pavement, very little consideration to the neighbours. UPDATE ! FMB tried to block this review by saying that it was nothing to do with them, suffice to say that it is now public UPDATE 2 I have sent FMB the detail of this builder and the property involved and await their action, and just a point, when I say that a builder is FMB registered, certainly according to his van and web site, I expect to be believed!
O D C Ltd
Dec 17,2018I think we are one of the best federations in the U.K.but we don't understand the devolved countries they are to London centric at times they don't understand distance our members have to travel to contracts & our weather conditions i have been a member for 29 years & we have made great improvements since i first joined .
Nirmala
Dec 15,2018I would give zero stars if I could. Do not trust these people so called "master builders", because they are not. I had ended up with a cowboy builder who ruined my property, and lost out on a lot of money because of the FMB, and to this day sill I am trying to fix my property. The FMB seemed like they did not care to help me with the situation. I have been complaining to them for years, (even to head office any other departments) but they just do not seem to care. I have sent a email to the one provided in your reply, and I have not received any response.
L West
Dec 13,2018I asked them to confirm if a builder using FMB logo on his website was a member, they replied no he wasn't and they were aware of it. They refused to tell me how long they had known and why he was still using their logo. I asked them why he wasn't on their list of companies claiming membership and the response I got was it was a separate team and I would have to contact them. She then said "Unfortunately my advice to you won’t change and I feel like we’re going round in circles. As I don’t work in that team, I am unable to assist you further with this matter but you are quite welcome to call the number provided. I will not be responding to any further emails." Why should I do their job for them? Is it any wonder builders get away with doing rubbish jobs? In response to FMB. read my complaint!!!
Fitzgerald & Burke
Dec 06,2018The Find A Builder service is very good for consumers and we use the FMB contracts for our customers.
Chris
Dec 03,2018It is good to be associated with a professional and well organised trade body in the construction industry.
Mr Carr
Nov 26,2018They look after the interests of the SME builder
Louise Bastock
Nov 20,2018The FMB disputes and complaints process is little more than a whitewashing exercise. The FMB goes on about its ADR provision but let my builder get away with ignoring the recommendations made, something that is a clear breach of their code of practice. The FMB complaints team ignored my emails and failed to deliver on their assurances about when the case would be put to review. We submitted photos of the work and a surveyors report -that listed the errors and clearly stated that the builder had not exercised his duty of care- but the FMB just kept fobbing me off. We took the builder to court and received a payout, with the judge referring directly to the poor workmanship. The FMB never reviewed the work themselves. I had to take to social media to get the FMB to respond to me, and they continue to back their member, despite the rotting floorboards, the water stains on my ceiling, my blocked drains, the paint splashed all over my path and drainpipes. The chief executive assures me that the member has made changes since, they now use qualified people to do skilled work (although you'd think that would have been a prerequisite for joining the FMB in the first place?!) An FMB director's initial response to my complaint (after 4 attempts) was: "we can put the case to the standards committee, but that won't fix your bathroom, let me know how you wish to proceed" We were accused of lying, sabotage, harassment (because we went to the FMB they would not return to fix the problem and stopped all communication, both of which are breaches of the FMB code of practice) and an accusation of criminal Extortion by Deception. Then when we served the court papers on them they suddenly admitted everything but still disputed the costs and demanded to put right faulty work that they had asserted was perfectly fine for over 6 months. It's a members club. It pays for the FMB to keep subscription paying members, so it's not in their interest to uphold the standards of work they promote themselves as doing, no matter what the cost to the unlucky consumer. Their code of practice is written to allow bad members to stay on; they include a clause that one outcome for breaching the code is "no further action". I expect expulsion is very very rare, as they need the membership subscriptions. I have copies of all the emails sent between us and have no problems in sharing them if the FMB decide to contest my version of events. I am also quite prepared to publish the independent surveyor's report, to illustrate the quality of work that the FMB endorses. Of the positive reviews here many left by former or current FMB board members, and another by someone who has represented the FMB at trade shows. Also every positive review has a tick beside it, click it and you will see the FMB has invited the person to review them. EDIT IN REPLY TO THE FMB RESPONSE: It's fine to say some members are expelled but the panel that decides this is comprised of 3 FMB board members and only 2 representatives of independent trade bodies. So obviously if a fellow board member or "favourite" comes under scrutiny then the FMB has the casting vote to allow that member to remain. In my case the member in question - who blocked my drains, refused to replace faulty components supplied by them and still under warranty, made threats to report us to the police and made several errors as described by an independent chartered surveyor (his report stated this FMB member failed to exercise their duty of care) - has featured in an FMB television advert, sits on the regional board as an officer. I strongly suspect favouritism was shown to this member because of their involvement within the FMB. If not, exactly how bad does a "Master Builder" have to be to be expelled? Either way I think it's safe to say that the FMB's promise that using an FMB member means that the client is assured of a better experience is a gross misrepresentation.
Alana
Nov 20,2018N.B. This is a review of how FMB handle disputes with their members, and of how they they respond to feedback about their dispute process. The whole purpose of FMB is to set standards for a Master Builder (the key is in the name), so if they disclaim responsibility for their dispute process, they may as well be shut down. FMB are trying to get this review removed on the grounds that it does not concern them, because they have outsourced that process. This slippery shoulders approach is a bad business practice. If a hospital outsources work to a surgery, and that surgery keeps killing patients, the hospital cannot disclaim responsibility. Responsibility ultimately lies with the paymaster, who has the option of changing or dismissing the contractor. FMB clearly see something in this review to be ashamed of, so are trying to get it removed. I have reduced the review from 2 stars down to 1 star, as their attempt to get this review withdrawn is yet a further example of FMB acting in bad faith. My original review now follows. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FMB have a conciliation process in case of a dispute with one of their member builders. You should think carefully before you involve yourself with it, as I found it unpleasant and unproductive. I had a poor experience with the dispute assistant assigned by FMB. He interrupted me to the point where I became nervous of speaking and lost my thread. I could feel my heart rate speeding up as I became more and more nervous about being able to finish the sentence. His own speech had constant hesitation and repetition, as if he was just padding out the time till he could claim his fee. I would have thought that a conciliator would be an exemplar of diplomacy, clarity and tact? I reviewed the behaviour of FMBs dispute assistant in the link below, where you can read my 9 points in full and judge for yourself if they merit consideration: (remove the space before the slash) trustpilot.com /users/508f48ef0000640001256edf The FMB office manager, gave me some helpful tips on writing style, then dismissed all my points outright. Her response is below. I'm glad I didn't waste too much time jotting down my feedback on the process, as it clearly was not welcome. Bizzarely, she directs me to raise my complaints back with her contractor (i.e. the one that had given me the bad experience). This is exactly what I said I was trying to avoid in point 9! It makes me think that she did not properly read my feedback on FMB's dispute process before dismissing it. So, as I said, consider carefully before you put yourself through the FMB dispute process. It may leave a bad taste in your mouth. Reply from the FMB office manager,: "The mediator you were assigned clearly didn’t meet your expectations, but I cannot see from your email that there is anything substantial that the mediator could be criticised for, although you clearly didn’t like his communication style. CEDR do have a complaints procedure, so if you wish to use this please submit a complaint form to them. I don’t think there will be a need for you to have any further communication with the FMB, but if you do please ensure it is to me only, and via email. Regards, FMB office manager,"
Nigel Spragg
Nov 12,2018have been members for may years.... most respected trade organisation the industry for SME's
Steve Martin
Nov 08,2018I used an FMB accredited builder, he was a cowboy, work was not built to regs and could not be signed off by Building control. Used FMB's mediation and then their conduct complaint process, both useless. The builder in question is still a member, FMB did nothing other than protect their crooked member who can continue to screw over any future customers. Steer clear.
Mr David Allam
Nov 06,2018FMB have always been quick to respond to any query and have always provided good information. They really do have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to building
Mr H Matthews
Nov 05,2018A very professional company I would put them on the same stage as a Plublic Company listed on the stock market
Maycor Building Services Ltd
Nov 05,2018Master Builder helped me to expand my construction company through the excellent service they offer and continuously supporting us on our expansion. Big thank you !
Dampcure Woodcure 30 Limited
Nov 05,2018This is a very good Organisation which is interested in its members and always gives good advice. Always up to date with news, suggestions and new pr oducts in its magazine .
Stuart
Nov 05,2018Well worth the monthly payment, I have secured some large projects through FMB membership, keep up the good work.
Guest
Nov 05,2018Federation of Master Builders provides assurances that they can expect trust and reliability of whom they instruct.
jason hicks
Aug 24,2018FMB TERRIBLE & MISLEADING Case C9186 Just because a trades person/ business advertises they are a member of the FMB doesn’t mean they conduct themselves to FMB standards/membership criteria, FMB will still allow the member to advertise their logo and continue to remain a member even though they have broken the FMB membership rules/criteria. Here are my experiences, I contracted JW & L Matthews roofing to install a new roof on my property, every year my new roof leaked causing internal damage, they came back a few times to try and rectify the issue but continued to fail to solve the problem. After getting a few more roofers to look at my roof, it turns out JW & L Matthews used the wrong tiles, poor quality materials along with poor quality workmanship, they also caused carbon monoxide to leak into my property by not fitting the boiler flue pipe correctly, they should never have touched it in the first place because they are not gas safe registered. Things came to a head a few months ago when they said the were not coming back to do any more repairs, they left me with a leaking roof which I paid them over £3500 for. All conversations I had with JW & L Matthews were via text message which I kept as evidence. I approached FMB for help with trying to resolve this issue with their member, I provided photos of the roof, and copies of all text conversations, which clearly read they were refusing to come back and repair my roof. JW & L Matthews responded to the FMB resolution, with lies and inaccurate information, they said to the FMB that they were open to contact with me in trying to resolving the issue with my roof, which was a total lie I contacted JW & L Matthews via text message to say that I would be happy to talk about resolving the roof issues over a month ago and have had no response what so ever. FMB have now closed my case and have said they can no longer offer me help with my issue, and are still allowing JW & L Matthews to remain a member even though they have broken their membership rules of conduct numerous times. FMB WASTE OF TIME AND DONT GIVE GUARANTEES OF QUALITY TRADES PEOPLE OR BUSINESSES. THEY STILL ALLOW TRADES PEOPLE/ BUSINESSES WHO BREAK THEIR CODE OF CONDUCT ADVERTISE THEIR LOGO AND REMAIN MEMBERS OF THEIR ORGANISATION, DONT BE FOOLED INTO THINKING YOU ARE GETTING A QUALITY TRADES PERSON JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE A MEMBER OF FMB.
Annie Turnbull
Feb 21,2019Duffield Building Services (DBS) did a two storey rear extension for us last year, including a new kitchen and bathroom. We stayed in the house with our 4 year old throughout and then with our newborn second child. DBS did everything they could to make the work as stress free as possible. Their communication was excellent and the quality of work and finish is brilliant. We're absolutely delighted and would definitely recommend them to others.