In his first interview, the man charged with combating cowboy builders tells Andy Cook how it will be done
Next month, residents in Birmingham will be the first in the country to be able to choose builders without fear of being ripped off. That's because it is the test-region for the government's anti-cowboy-builder Quality Mark scheme.

Following the official launch of the scheme in in April, during National Construction Week, the Building Research Establishment and the Construction Industry Training Board are assessing local builders for the Quality Mark.

Stephen Walker, a 40-year-old project manager from Kent, was chosen by the government's cowboy-builder working group to head up the first pilot scheme in Birmingham and the second pilot in Somerset, which builders will be able to join from 22 May. Advertisements are being prepared by the DETR to publicise the new scheme to the public.

According to Walker, any builder qualifying for the Quality Mark will be assessed on a set of basic minimum skills and competences (see below). Successful builders will be backed by a Quality Mark warranty. Currently only available from Cornhill, it will cover workmanship issues and problems like builders disappearing with cash deposits.

The scheme is running two months behind schedule, but Walker – who was appointed in October 1999 – remains unfazed by criticism of the delay. "There is no point launching a scheme that doesn't suit the industry. It needs to be practical," Walker says. "The technical advisory group is doing a very good job of offering criticism. If there is a fear we are not listening to builders, they are wrong," he says flatly.

The Federation of Small Businesses has also criticised the scheme. It says that the Quality Mark adds yet another layer of red tape to an already overburdened industry. Walker refutes the criticism: "This is not the criticism we have noted. The industry is very supportive. Its criticisms are about making the scheme easy to implement." He adds: "In any case there will be just one form to fill."

Nothing much fazes the tall, sturdy and bespectacled Walker. Even when chancellor Gordon Brown chose not to reduce VAT on repairs and maintenance (which would have been a great boon to the anti-cowboy drive), Walker did not fume. "Of course I was disappointed, but I believe that the Treasury is taking the proposal seriously," he says.

As yet there are no firm plans to roll the Quality Mark scheme out across the country. "We haven't even thought of any dates. We want to iron out the glitches by looking at one urban and one rural scheme first," Walker says. When asked what his hopes for the project are, Walker gives a measured reply. "It won't be a panacea. We won't rid the industry of cowboys totally, but we can squeeze them," he says. "All I know is that Trading Standards get 100 000 complaints about cowboy builders a year. We just want to make a dent in that figure."

  • Those wishing to register for a Quality Mark can get a registration pack by calling 0845 300 8040

    How will the Quality Mark scheme work?

    A Quality Mark assessment will cost up to £500. Technical competence. BRE will assess how well previous work has been done. Walker says this is a minimum level: "We're not talking British Standards or best practice here." Where there's not enough recent work to assess, the BRE will take up references. Financial probity. For one-man bands, tax details will be checked. Larger companies may have to show full audited accounts. "We will be looking to see how risky a company is to the customer," says Walker. Qualifications. Evidence of NVQs, Construction Skills Certificates and Corgi registrations will be asked for. If a builder does not have formal qualifications then the CITB can be drafted in to undertake an assessment of skills. "And for a limited period in Birmingham, CITB will be providing free training on a first come first served basis", says Walker. For each individual qualified operative, two non-qualified operatives will be allowed to work with him or her. "So in a two and one gang of bricklayers, one must have a CSCS or NVQ2, the other two don't need qualifications," says Walker. Management procedures. Companies should have records of quotations, orders, material purchase receipts, delivery dockets and records of the subcontractors used. Health and safety. All business must have a health and safety statement. Walker says: "Currently there is a requirement for all companies employing more than five people to have a statement, now we want all companies to have one." He adds: "We want evidence that protective equipment is being used and that sites are kept safe". Insurance. All reputable builders will have public and employers’ liability insurance. It is easy to check certificates for these. There is also a new Quality Mark warranty that will provide cover for builders who "do a runner".