A rogue builder who defrauded dozens of homeowners out of more than £130,000 has been jailed for five years, in a case that has renewed calls for UK builder licensing to protect consumers.
James Bell, 51, from Darlington, admitted five counts of fraud and one of theft after taking thousands of pounds in deposits for 29 building projects across Redcar and Northumberland between 2017 and 2023. Newcastle Crown Court heard that he gave a “litany of excuses” for not completing the work, leaving many homeowners with half-finished or unsafe properties.
Prosecutor John Crawford said Bell accepted payments for a range of jobs, from driveways to home extensions, then often failed to turn up or abandoned the work mid-project. Victims, some in their 90s, were left chasing him for months for refunds or repairs. His excuses included claims that he had cancer, that his sister was ill, or that his van had broken down or caught fire.
One woman undergoing chemotherapy paid Bell £4,700 to adapt her parents’ home but he failed to show up and later cancelled the job. Another couple paid nearly £16,000 for a ground-floor bedroom and toilet that were never completed. A building expert later found Bell’s work to be worth just £875 and estimated £1,300 was needed to tear it out and start again.
A woman who paid Bell £10,000 to fix her roof said water was “pouring down her walls” after his poor workmanship. She eventually had to spend £30,000 to repair the damage. Many victims described feeling “foolish”, “violated” and “helpless”, with some saying they could no longer trust tradespeople. Others were forced to delay retirement to recover the money lost.
Bell also stole £10,000 from a woman in Cumbria for a kitchen he never ordered. She later launched a private prosecution against him after being told by investigators that Bell had ignored requests for interviews from trading standards.
Judge Edward Bindloss said Bell had shown a “high degree of evasion, dishonesty and false representations”. He continued to take deposits even after knowing he was under investigation. The judge said Bell’s conduct had caused widespread financial and emotional harm, but no compensation order could be made as the defendant had no money or assets.
The case has drawn attention to wider concerns in the building industry. According to a survey by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), unregulated and dishonest traders have cost UK homeowners an estimated £14.3 billion over the past five years. The organisation says a lack of regulation allows “cowboy builders” to operate unchecked, damaging both homes and public confidence.
The FMB survey found that 37% of UK adults have hired a rogue builder, with 33% reporting poor workmanship and 22% left with unfinished jobs. Victims lost an average of £1,759, and some were left with unsafe or condemned homes. Rising costs and shortages of skilled labour have also made it harder for homeowners to find reliable tradespeople.
The FMB is campaigning for a mandatory UK builder licensing scheme to protect consumers and recognise professional builders. Chief among its goals is to “level the playing field” by driving out rogue traders, rebuilding trust, and encouraging investment in home improvement.
The group’s ‘Licence to Build’ report proposes a practical licensing system similar to existing regulations for gas engineers and electricians. Currently, there are no mandatory qualifications or licensing requirements for builders to operate legally in the UK.
According to the FMB, 81% of the public support licensing, and nearly half of homeowners wrongly believe it already exists. The federation argues that proper regulation would help raise standards, promote accountability and strengthen the long-term future of the construction trade.
The sentencing of James Bell highlights the consequences of an unregulated system that leaves homeowners vulnerable. With billions lost to fraud and poor workmanship, the push for UK builder licensing is gathering new urgency, aiming to protect both consumers and the many honest tradespeople who uphold the industry’s reputation.
