The Association of Master Tradesmen (AMTUK) is a UK trade association which was set up to assist small and medium-sized building firms in generating work enquiries and helping them convert work.
The Association of Master Tradesmen’s (AMTUK’s) core mission is to stamp out the use of Rogue Traders or Cowboy Builders. Their aim is to introduce quality tradesmen (that have passed a vetting process) to customers aiming to take on a trustworthy, reliable tradesman to carry out work.
There are numerous methods that the Association of Master Tradesmen (AMTUK) promote their members.
• Enquiries come through via the website
• Via the dedicated call centre
• Through promotional campaigns
• Via affiliates
The majority of the work that the Association of Master Tradesmen (AMTUK) introduces to its tradesmen are projects of £20,000 +. Their experience of the marketplace has led them to understand that customers should not focus purely on price when undertaking work projects. If a customer is looking to improve a property with an extension or a conversion, quality workmanship should not be overlooked in favour of selecting the cheapest quote.
The Association of Master Tradesmen (AMTUK) also works to educate customers in how to select a tradesman to carry out work for them. They provide guides to help customers avoid taking on a cowboy builder or rogue trader. Please bear in mind that over one hundred thousand complaints are made in the UK against rogue traders annually. You do not need any official qualification to be a builder which is why it is really important that you ask the right questions
Here are some basic questions to ask a builder;
1) Can I see your Public Libility Insurance? (Most builders will have cover for at least 1 Million pounds)
2) Are you VAT registered? (Most creditable builders looking to take on extensions and conversions will be VAT registered)
3) Can I go and see some of your previous work? (Also, ask to speak to the customer that they carried out the work for)
4) What do you require as a deposit? (Most builders will take no more than 25% as an initial deposit. It is also perfectly normal to agree stage payments)
5) Can I have a receipt at each stage of payment. (it will save on any potential arguments later)
6) Can you provide me with a detailed quote? (The detailed specification should include everything you require of the builder from start to finish of the project)
7) Are you a member of any Associations? (Builders who are registered with The Association of Master Tradesmen or FMB will have had to have gone through a vetting process to become members. It is worth calling the association to check if they are indeed a member)
AMTUKAssociation of Master Tradesmen
