The poll, based on a cross-section of the industry and its clients, also asked which issue the next construction minister should focus on.
Readers' main priorities were health and safety and cowboy builders, with 31% choosing better protection for workers on site and 30% nominating better protection for the consumer.
Only one in 10 readers wanted the construction minister to concentrate on lobbying for a cut in the VAT rate on repair and maintenance; 11% called for improvements to the government's Constructionline vetting service.
The government's quality mark scheme, due to be launched this summer, was backed by 44% of readers. However, 19% felt that it should be scrapped and 37% believed that it should be amended before being offered to the general public.
The absence of change [on VAT] is seriously undermining other government initiatives
Tony Maynard, National Federation of Builders
The survey results come as Tony Blair promised a shake-up of business merger laws at the launch of Labour's special manifesto for business.
The party plans to make deals and takeovers easier, with the aim of creating bigger firms to act as so-called national champions.
The National Federation of Builders has called for government aid to help small and medium-sized companies prosper. The federation has also renewed its call for a reduction in red tape.
NFB chief executive Tony Maynard said: "The less time our members have to spend complying with the Construction Industry Scheme on tax, for example, the more time they would have to review and further improve areas such as health and safety."
