The FMB has made the plea in its response to a government consultation on the creation of a single construction regulator.

According to the FMB, this is an opportunity to “fill gaps in building safety”.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is consulting on the prospect of a single construction regulator, which was one of the main proposals from the Grenfell Tower Enquiry.

While the FMB welcomes the government’s core proposals, the trade group has argued that this will only work in tandem with a clear baseline for building companies.

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“Good builders are being undercut by rogue traders who operate with little oversight and leave consumers facing serious financial and emotional harm,” said Brian Berry, CEO at the FMB.

“A mandatory licensing system, which the regulator can be expanded in scope to accommodate, would set a clear baseline for competence and professionalism, make enforcement more effective, and give homeowners confidence about who they are letting into their homes.

“Our response shows how licensing can be designed to work for SMEs, while targeting poor practice and raising standards across the industry.”