Measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus have prevented workers from entering customers’ homes for non-essential aftercare work during the latest lockdown and over a large part of the last year.

From April 26, non-essential maintenance work in homes will be allowed, although consultation with sectors still to reopen is ongoing with further decisions on easing to be taken ahead of the next review point.

The board of HFS, which met last week, said the return of non-essential maintenance work in homes is one of its top priorities and comes after the positive news that the industry had achieved a record level of customer satisfaction with 91% of customers willing to recommend their builder to a friend.

HFS chief executive Nicola Barclay said: “As every new home is a bespoke product, there will inevitably be some aftercare required but, for much of the last year, builders have been unable to undertake anything other than essential work in people’s homes. 

“Our members tell us that customers have been extremely patient as they recognise the Scottish Government-imposed lockdown restrictions have been for their own safety, but the end of April really can’t come soon enough. Undeniably, there will be a backlog to work through, but our members are busy preparing for that challenge and are keen to resolve any outstanding issues for their customers as soon as they can.”