A new survey shows 78% of carpenters and joiners believe their trade’s reputation is suffering because of ‘cowboys’.
A significant number, 67%, also want stronger regulation of the trade before companies are allowed to operate.
The survey was conducted by the Skills Register, an online directory of approved businesses, with the aim of uncovering the extent of rogue trading.
Seven hundred business owners from a cross-section of trades, including 155 carpenters and joiners, and 113 builders, were questioned.
Just 21% of carpenters/joiners were aware the Skills Register existed but 70% said they welcomed or would use such a register, compared with 91% of the builders.
Alarmingly, just 29% of carpenters/joiners thought they had a representative trade body to protect their interests (45% for builders).
Managing director of the register Will Stevens said: ‘The scale of the problem as highlighted by the survey does not surprise me and only confirms my belief that it was time for the Skills Register.’
However, Mr Stevens said he was ‘invigorated’ by the strong desire within the business community for change.
David Winson, secretary of the 1,200-member Institute of Carpenters, said: ‘People think carpenters are OK if they are in the Yellow Pages or other directories but anybody can advertise.’
He said it was ‘extremely disappointing’ that carpenters and joiners still did not know about the 110-year-old Institute.
