What is a Competent Person Scheme?
26th May 2021 - By Jason Clemmit
What is a Competent Person Scheme?
Sometimes, it feels like quite a challenge to find a competent installer, who is skilled and trusted to carry out your home improvement projects . Having someone with thekowledge and skill who can recommend the right improvement products for your home and fit them to the highest standards is really important.
The government made it easier to find suitable installers in 2002 by launching ‘Competent Persons Schemes’, which were a simple way of recognising high standards and competency, within the building and home improvement sector.
A Competent Person Scheme gives installers the chance to self-certify their work and ensure it complies with all the local Building Regulations. This means they can work on your home without the need for an inspection from local authorities, saving both time and money.
These schemes help tradespeople prove their ability to do work, and consequently drive up the standards of the building industry as a whole.
What is covered by our Competent Person Scheme?
The Certass Competent Person Scheme runs under the license of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Installers must be registered with an approved scheme in order to be classed as a ‘Competent Person’.
Certified Competent schemes cover all areas of building fabric home improvement. This means we cover a huge range of products and services including windows, doors, rooflights and conservatories for home and commercial properties, as well as external, internal, hybrid and cavity wall insulation services.
Choosing an installer who is registered with our Competent Person Scheme means that they have systems in place to self-certify their work and provide the best service for you. These systems include a fully trained workforce, management processes and consumer financial protection.
Why you should choose a competent installer
Choosing an installer who is registered with a Competent Person Scheme gives you reassurance that they will be working to the highest standards. When they are classed as a competent person, it means their work is meeting all building regulations, helping homeowners avoid ‘cowboy builders’.
The Certass Competent Person Scheme will ensure that all installers are routinely assessed and inspected, to check that all their work and procedures is meeting government regulations.
The scheme provides installers with lots of helpful resources and information as well as regular updates about potential changes in Building Regulations. Their membership allows them to provide you with:
- Fully certified, competent and assessed tradespeople to work on your home
- Protection of any deposit taken
- A guarantee that covers the completed installation
- An insurance-backed policy that covers you even if your installer stops trading
- A simple way of registering your installation with local authorities, at no extra cost.
What happens when you choose a Certass competent person for your glazing or insulation home improvements?
So, you’ve decided to choose an installer from the Certass Competent Person Scheme to carry out work in your home, what can you expect?
Before the work starts
The installer will provide you with a contract detailing all the work that will be undertaken.
After the work is completed
A written guarantee will provided to you from your installer that covers the work they have done, and they will also give you an Insurance Backed Guarantee, which ensures it is filled out if they stop trading.
Registering the work
Once the work has been finished your certified installer will register the work with us within 21 days of completion. Certass will then notify your local authority on your behalf for the work and then issue you with your Building Regulations Compliance Certificate, which is legally required and is proof of compliance.
How can I find a Certass certified installer in my area?
If you are looking to make sure your next home improvement project is completed by a competent person, search our online directory.