Federation of Master Builders Reviews 

good service all round especially from membership team

the set up process was very smooth , the sign of was very helpful and explanatory - great inspector , very well managed

I really liked Amanda who I spoke to and was in communication with throughout process

Great tone and very understanding of the situation

I did not however feel looked after as a client and some of my pictures I presented as evidence is not master builder quality of the company I used
East London lofts

Me and my mum found the process with them/buildees so stressful and I didn’t feel much protection from the master builders
I requested site visit to show works and that was declined

Just very disappointed really but case is closed now and can move on and hoping I won’t have any issues with roof in future

Fantastic service

Having read some of the one star reviews we felt it important also to make people aware that FMB are a pointless trade association that seems to be a ticket to facilitate rogue traders continuing in business.

We had serious issues with a building company we had asked to do some renovation work. Basically the builder left the job unfinished, significantly overcharged on the quotation for the work, and what they did do was substandard to put it mildly. The work was so bad we had an independent property surveyor carry out a report that identified over 120 issues with the quality of workmanship. We are still unearthing faults as we continue to rectify these issues.

We contacted FMB to use the dispute resolution process, as they were in breach of contract by not completing the work and not using reasonable care and skill. There were also other issues where they had not followed FMB’s own code of conduct. We submitted the independent inspection report as part of the dispute, along with our own snagging list and other evidence showing the poor quality of workmanship. ALL OF THIS WAS IGNORED!

The response from the builder just deflected from the facts, had no substance, and didn’t address any of the concerns we had set out. FMB made no attempt to come out and see the issues at the property, and wholly ignored the inspection report in their outcome, despite been told they would look at the findings.

We then filed a formal complaint against the outcome, as there was no appeal process, again requesting their technical team look into the substandard workmanship and not ignore it. The formal complaint was forwarded to the same person that dealt with the dispute!?! As you can imagine the response that came back was the same. Obviously, there was no bias or conflict of interest in the handling the complaint!?!

We would now never choose a builder associated with FMB, or TrustMark for that matter. Our current builder is linked to neither, and they are excellent. We have learned the hard way that such sham schemes are worthless in providing any real assurance you will get a decent builder, as when these people are put under the spotlight the FMB choose to turn a blind eye.

We will now be taking legal action against the builder in question, who will be exposed at the proper time.

Postscript - This was not a complex matter at all. We had independent evidence the workmanship was not to an accepted standard, but this was ignored. If the policy is to allow formal complaints to be addressed by the same person you are complaining about, then their policy was followed, but is wholly flawed.

Interesting that most of the positive feedback here is from FMB members, not those on the other end of poor workmanship!

The staff are always ready to assist everyone’s really friendly, professional and supportive.

We found the onboarding process very efficient, from the initial contact to finally being onboarded was fantastic. All our questions were answered clearly & all the benefits & services were set out from the start. We are proud to be welcomed as a member of the FMB.

The FMB has been helpful to us by sending leads for projects and for advice that we have needed.

The Federation of Master Builders has been a great support for our business. Their membership gives our clients added confidence, and the resources, guidance, and industry backing they provide are valuable for a growing construction company. Being part of the FMB helps reinforce our commitment to quality, professionalism, and best practice. We’re proud to be members and would recommend the FMB to other reputable contractors.

Good but very expensive for what we are able to access that is useful

Always very helpful on the phone, will keep using FMB. Great Service!!!!

I raised a complaint with the FMB about a contractor listed as a member of the FMB in good standing.

In my complaint I provided the FMB written, photographic and a qualified quantity surveyor's report as evidence of the contractor's fraud, the contractor's work failing to meet building control regulations along with countless other examples of poor workmanship and abusive behaviour. I even provided proof that the contractor had demanded payments for works that they had not done so they had been significantly overpaid.
The FMB Dispute Case Handler ignored all of my evidence and simply forwarded me the contractor's email response (which had no evidence included at all) and was predictably full of lies. The FMB then said they could do nothing to help me and suggested I hire a lawyer. The contractor remains an FMB qualified member on their website. FMB membership means NOTHING. Do not use it as a reason to hire a contractor.

Lot of money per year and not a great deal of job leads

If I could give this company minus stars then I would.
I engaged a company through them to carry out several jobs around my home, one of which was a fence which I also wanted a gate installed into.
Upon returning home I found that the builder had made the gate width around half the length of the fence which totally shocked me as I did not think that anyone in their right mind would consider this an appropriate action. After this, I also noted that a broom that had been placed where the work was carried out had gone missing.
After I had to ask for the situation to be rectified, the owner gave me the impression that the fault lay with me and very reluctantly sent the builder back to do what he should have done to start with after I contacted the FMB to ask them to intervene.
When the workmen returned to my property to rectify their work, fully aware that it would have been their word against mine, they point blank denied stealing my broom even though it would have amounted to their accusing me of lying when that was precisely what they were.
Less than 12 months later I had reason to contact the company again as I was unable to lock the gate from the inside - the very reason that I had wanted this work done in the first place - and another job that also needed remedying. I found myself up against even more attitude from the manager than I had already been subjected to - who eventually refused to carry out any work.
I then contacted the FMB who refused to get involved on the basis of that it was the second complaint against the company in question and you are only allowed one. If this isn't logic-defying, nonsensical garbage that flies in the face of their claims for when "things go wrong", then what is it? From my experience with the FMB anyone and their brother can become a member and when things do go wrong, contrary to their claims, you are on your own.
They also had no shame in indicating that I was lucky that the company in question engaged with them to start with which should be a huge red flag to anyone thinking that by using a company endorsed by the FMB they will have the back-up and security that they promise when the reality is that they have little or no powers to do anything.

Great experience with the Federation of Master Builders. The process was clear, communication excellent, and support very professional. Their guidance and standards really help builders demonstrate quality and reliability. Highly recommend.

Date of experience: 05.12.2025

These people are the real deal, being a builder these days where everyone is trying to sell you stuff that doesn't work for you the federation does work for you.

My Family have been members since the start in the 1960's.
We were R.F. & R.W.Veal Cambridge branch
We are R&R Building Services London branch

I very rarely need to support from them but when I did, it never came. I emailed and chased, yet nobody got back to me.

We have been members for a number of years now and it’s a sign that gives customers confidence that you are a serious contractor with the correct skills and knowledge to carry out their projects.

FBC is becoming over priced to ratio of straight help to builders, it is constantly selling something and not providing enough advertising for public to know about us,
It needs more than google
We were chosen because of our work standard
Referrals are very few
Also no vetting of referrals on smaller works which the najority want a quote for insurance
Which we as a company now charge and credit back if we get the project