Sets out to explore and detect underlying causes to increasing uncertainty and lack of transparency in the home maintenance sector. The study gives an account of owner-occupiers' experience on the standards of work they encounter with small-scale domestic traders. Focuses on the contrast between expectations and the actual maintenance setbacks observed from builders, which are a source of displeasure among owner-occupiers. The application of nonparametric statistical techniques enabled the study to detect consensus on what defines expectations and how these differ from observed standards. An understanding of this disparity could be essential information for existing builders, new entrants into the home maintenance sector and inform housing regeneration professionals and agencies involved in the architecture and management of schemes for small-scale builders. Diagrams, tables and references. (Taken from journal abstract).