In a submission to the government, the Chartered Institute of Building has echoed the Construction Industry Council’s call (25 June) for the Construction Act and Building Regulations to be strengthened.
The CIOB wants the act’s adjudication procedures to apply to the domestic sector and for the Building Regulations to be extended to repair and maintenance. This would bring more work before local authorities for inspection.
The CIOB says it would also like to develop a “contract wizard” on the Internet and a CD-ROM form that would help clients through the construction procurement process and be made available through councils and builders’ merchants.
Other responses to the government’s plans for a quality mark for reputable builders have also been submitted.
The Federation of Master Builders calls for a cut in VAT on repair and maintenance, and has concerns about the cost of the quality mark.
This view was echoed by the Construction Confederation last week. It said its members would be unwilling to pay more than £300 to join the quality mark scheme, without the government reducing the cost advantage that cowboys already enjoy over its members through VAT avoidance.
