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CRACKDOWN ON
COWBOYS
Government Report
Pushes for 'Kitemark'
There
has been a lot of speculation recently about the new "Kitemark"
for the construction industry.
A recent
Government Report will have far reaching effects for those within the
industry and to help members understand how it will affect them we have
produced a breakdown of relevant points
The final report was
submitted to Nick Raynsford, the Construction Minister on 6th September,
1999. The report is 26 pages long and makes
a number of important recommendations designed to assist in driving the
cowboy builders out of the market place. This is a very brief outline of
important issues and if you require further detailed information please
contact C.I.T.A. on 01269-820080 and we will be happy to discuss any
issues further.
1. An independent body will be established to institute a
quality mark, set standards for the scheme and supervise its operation.
The body would be formed from 40% construction industry,
30% consumer and 30% local authority/regulatory interests. Observers
would be appointed from insurers and lenders. This body would
own, manage and monitor use of the registered tradesmark. The
body would report annually on the operation of the scheme to the Secretary
of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and make
recommendations for improvement.
2. The group would
then appoint as an agent U.K.A.S. (the United Kingdom Accreditation
Service) whose role would be to accredit trade associations and other
bodies to undertake the assessment of individual firms, against an agreed
set of criteria, in accordance with European standard EN45011.
(C.I.T.A. are in the process of completing the necessary documentation to
become one of the accreditation bodies referred to in section 2 of the
report.)
3. It is recommended that these
certification bodies assess firms against a range of criteria designed to
demonstrate a broad range of competence, including technical capability,
skills and qualifications, financial probity and adherence to a code of
practice which sets out quality mark firms` obligations to their
customers.
(C.I.T.A. members are already required to conform to the
bulk of the statutory requirements)
4. It is
recommended that firms provide all customers with an agreed form of
written contract which will include financial protection and dispute
resolution mechanisms.
( All C.I.T.A. members are issued with
unlimited free supplies of C.I.T.A. small works contracts. In
the event of any dispute our arbitration and survey departments are
available to assist the builder and the client.)
5.
It is recommended that the DTI implement the proposed reforms to the
fair trading legislation as soon as possible. This would
provide better protection against the unscrupulous practices of cowboy
builders.
6. It is recommended that VAT on domestic
repair, maintenance and improvement work be reduced to 5% and the
threshold reduced to £20,000.
(This would be welcome news for
CITA Members. It would provide a more level playing field for bone fide
contractors within the construction industry to compete against cut price
cowboys and would act as an incentive for firms to join the new scheme.)
C.I.T.A. fully
support the implementation of a regulated scheme to stop the cowboy
builder.
This is something that we have been
calling for, and have been attempting to do ourselves for a considerable
time. We and our members welcome the proposals outlined in the report and
any measures introduced can only benefit both the general public and any
reputable builder.
C.I.T.A. want the industry to be known for it's
quality workmanship, not the actions of irresponsible cowboys that will
continue to plague it until action is taken.
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