Ironically, he now hopes inspections of the shonky work of other, less scrupulous operators will keep the company's remaining - and original - staff going until a new scheme begins in June.

While the Master Builders Association of Australia last week told ABC radio it was against industry practice to have home insulation installers inspecting their own work under a new Government scheme, the owner of Bayswater-based Golden Fleece Insulation, Peter Gerster, said companies such as his should be allowed to perform inspections, even of their own work.

The company has more than 50 years' experience in the industry.

Mr Gerster said the the company was well placed to perform the role after some newly-started companies that had sprung up to "make a quick buck" from the scheme had allegedly become responsible for house fires and deaths.

"Existing companies that do everything right should be able to do the inspections rather than someone who's in it for two years of easy money."

Mr Gerster urged the Government to bring forward its new scheme, due to begin in June, and allow long-established companies to continue installing new insulation and redoing incorrectly fitted insulation.

He said it appeared the scheme had been too rushed because new installers only had to complete a two-day course and get insurance and an OH&S card.

"Most of these have never been in a roof before. They've just been in [the program] for a quick quid."

And while he didn't think his company would make any money from the scheme, he hoped it would come out OK at the other end.

But he was worried about the industry's reputation.

"We've all been tainted with the same brush."