“A first look gives the impression that these are serious complaints involving large sums of money,” Van Quickenborne said. “Complaints vary from contractors who fail to keep appointments to works that are never carried out, all the way to contractors who vanish off the face of the earth with advance payments.”

The complaints received will be examined by a panel of 12 experts, and follow-up given to the more serious cases. An important aspect will be to examine a contractor’s suitability for the job in terms of having the necessary resources, manpower, registrations and authorisations. The panel will have the power to bring in the various governmental inspection services that regulate the construction industry. “In that way we hope to shake out the small group of contractors and companies, the cowboys who are ruining the industry,” Van Quickenborne warned.

The Building Union, which has a seat on the panel, advised potential home-builders and renovators to take an informed approach from the beginning. “Use your common sense: sign a binding contract with a professional contractor,” said Anja Larik of Bouwunie.

Complaints email address: [email protected]