Most FMB members primarily deliver construction services (be that a renovation or an extension for example) for homeowners. The home improvements sector is where FMB members thrive. One recent issue is when public money from Home Energy Scotland: through grants and loans to the homeowner is tied up in a home improvement project which includes installing insulation as part of the works.
Now the funding in Scotland: which is managed by the Energy Saving Trust and administered by Home Energy Scotland, when compared to elsewhere in the UK, is generous. The issue is the current eligibility criteria for the funding. The FMB’s view is that there needs to be checks and balances in place to ensure that when taxpayers’ money is spent on energy retrofit works: it is spent well. Quality control, high standards and consumer protection must not be compromised.
Building contractor eligibility troubles
FMB’s membership criteria and the processes and systems which underpin FMB accreditation are an asset. Some members also choose to become Trustmark accredited through the FMB as well. Following feedback from members who found that despite their extensive experience in delivering renovations for homeowners as Principal Contractors, the current ‘rules’ meant that the homeowner couldn’t claim the grant or loan for insultation upgrades from Home Energy Scotland. The FMB membership standards didn’t meet the criteria for contractors.
There is no perfect system which balances the real world of how general builders work with the world of standards and accreditation. This doesn’t mean that we don’t try to influence change though. So I set up a meeting with the Energy Saving Trust to voice our concerns. I was joined by our Director of Membership Services Hayley Lorimer and Rebecca Duffy our Membership Manger. Rebecca gave a comprehensive overview of the checks the FMB undertakes to vet our members. Scotland member Lee Cains from the Thistle Trade Group Ltd explained how costly and time consuming it is for small contractors to seek and retain more and more accreditations.
Next steps
I need to speak with the policy leads in the Scottish Government on shaping the current eligibility criteria. Right now it is confusing homeowners who quite rightly want to work with trusted and vetted builders to install insulation and other energy retrofit upgrades as part of home improvement projects. It’s also preventing good builders from getting involved in this marketplace. A lose-lose situation.
I would also like to hear from you if you have been frustrated by Home Energy Scotland’s eligibility criteria. Have any of your clients been in touch with you about this? The more evidence I can gather from members the better.
Authors
Gordon Nelson
Director, Federation of Master Builders Scotland
