That project to get your dream home shouldn’t be a gamble, but for many it is. Rogue builders are a major problem for homeowners, who all too often find themselves paying for poor-quality work, unreliable tradespeople, and additional bills to put things right. The Federation of Master Builders found that nearly a quarter of people would strongly discourage friends from using their builder, while Citizens Advice has reported regular year-on-year growth in building-related complaints.
Irish transaction platform Trustap has recently announced partnership with BookaBuilderUK, the leading platform connecting homeowners with vetted tradespeople. BookaBuilderUK have partnered with Trustap to launch SafePay on their platform and ensure secure, dispute-free transactions for their users.
By eliminating the risk of “cowboy builders” and protecting tradespeople from rogue customers, this collaboration boosts homeowner confidence, safeguards honest tradespeople, and raises industry standards.
The rogue builder problem: Why everybody suffers
Rogue builders are a major concern for homeowners. They are frequently in the headlines for scamming customers out of large sums — often six figures. Even when they claim to finish, the project can create issues. Projects overrunning can cause additional cost and inconvenience to homeowners and neighbours. Substandard work may require more builders to put it right. And, in some cases, just failing to provide the relevant paperwork afterwards can cause issues when it comes to insuring or selling a property with no proof that building standards have been met.
The result is a growing mistrust of all builders, however reputable. “Even if someone is recommended, homeowners can still be concerned that they will be left out of pocket due to improper practices, builders taking shortcuts or the job being unfinished,” said Bradley Jarvis, CEO of BookaBuilderUK. “What we want to do is eliminate the threat of cowboy builders whilst protecting genuine tradespeople and ensuring they get paid in full, on time.”
Founded in 2014, BookaBuilderUK aims to connect homeowners and tradespeople, making the process of finding a reliable tradesperson, agreeing the work, and getting it done easy. It has since grown to be the largest platform for traders registered in the UK, with 115,000 members. However, the platform and builders still find that customers often approach the process with feelings of trepidation. “There is a lot of anxiety out there when it comes to hiring tradespeople,” Jarvis said.
Those hesitations have persisted, despite the copious advice offered to homeowners to avoid being ripped off, and Jarvis looked to Trustap to help address the issue with a secure payment system.
From fear and doubt to confidence
Founded in 2017 by Conor Lyden, Cork-based Trustap provides an end-to-end transaction solution. With additional offices in Dublin, the USA, UK, and Croatia, Trustap is a payment option in over 150 marketplaces around the world. As of July 2024, Trustap has raised a total of over $9 million in funding. This includes a $5.5 million Series A round led by TX Ventures, with participation from SeedX, Partners Resolute, Aperture, and existing investors such as MiddleGame Ventures, ACT VC, Atlantic Bridge, and FurthrVC.
Jarvis saw the potential for the solution on BookaBuilderUK’s marketplace, where it means both the customer and the builder can approach the transaction with confidence.
Anyone booking a tradesperson through BookaBuilderUK will now have the option of using SafePay. The secure option means that funds are held by Trustap until both parties are satisfied with the work that has been done.
“At Trustap, our mission is to make transactions safer and more transparent for everyone involved,” said Conor Lyden, CEO of Trustap. The process is a modern version of escrow in contract law and, just as in the past, is a simple device to help build trust. The customer knows that the builder has to deliver to their satisfaction to be paid. The builder, on the other hand, can work, knowing that the customer has already paid, and the money is being securely held.
“By powering SafePay for BookaBuilderUK, we are offering their users a trusted, secure payment solution that ensures confidence and transparency for both homeowners and professionals, with payments held safely until project completion,” said Lyden.
Safe and simple payments: a win for everyone
The partnership marks a milestone for online payments for the UK construction sector. For the first time, ordinary homeowners have easy access to a secure payment system that puts them in control. Meanwhile, builders will no longer have to overcome the mistrust that even reputable, highly recommended professionals face, while having the confidence that customers have already paid.
The SafePay solution is now available on BookaBuilderUK. “We’re proud to launch SafePay, knowing it will build confidence and protect our community,” said Jarvis. “At BookaBuilderUK, we know that trust is the foundation of any successful project, and payment security is a crucial part of that trust. SafePay isn’t just about seamless transactions; it’s about peace of mind. We’re ensuring that everyone can focus on getting the job done to the highest standard, without worry.”
This article is part of a media partnership with Trustap.
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