There are many competent persons schemes in the industry today, but getting on board with the one that really adds value to your business, in the right areas is what’s most important. The Assure scheme is one that does just that, they’ve just introduced an Energy Rating Register which offers some fantastic benefits to members.
All VEKA and Halo customers can take full advantage of the Assure Energy Ratings scheme Members can use the new register to create WER and DSER licences and can personalise further by adding their own company details, giving customers even more confidence.
Since 2010 it’s been necessary for installers to prove that any window and door installations exceed a minimum security rating of ‘C’. Nowadays though ‘A’ ratings are generally expected as standard. Homeowners are very familiar with the ‘traffic light’ style efficiency rating now and installers need to be able to provide proof of their ratings to market their products effectively. With Assure this can now be done at a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay through other certification bodies.
Competent Person Schemes (CPS) have been around for some time now, but there are a fair few and choosing the right one impacts upon the performance of your business and what you offer to your customers, so it’s important to get it right!
Initially, they were introduced by the government to enable individuals and businesses to self-certify installations rather than going through their Local Authority Building Control Department.
Assure are generally thought to be one of the more straight forward and cost-effective routes to compliance. In addition to the standard offering, there are a number of benefits in working with Assure that many other operators don’t offer. A few of the key ones:
- Installers and surveyors can prove their Minimum Technical competencies (MTCs) with branded ID cards
- Assessment of MTCs
- Access to subsidised NVQs
- CPD training to enhance industry knowledge
- Access to the Assure insurance-backed guarantee
What we like most about Assure is that they are constantly striving to see how they can add more value to their members, giving members a credible and long lasting position simply by being associated with Assure.
If you’re not already a member, there are a few good reasons in this issue to at least explore it. It’s open to all installers of uPVC windows and doors, providing they meet the necessary requirements:
- You must have public liability insurance of at least £2 million
- You must have employee liability insurance of at least £10 million
- The law requires all Installers and Surveyors must be qualified to at least MTC by June 2014, Assure can assist with this
- You must be able to provide Insurance Backed Guarantees for your installations or use the Assure one
- You must have a robust complaints procedure or adopt the Assure one
From a homeowners perspective, when they choose an Assure-certified company, they have assurance that:
- Their installation complies with Building Regulations
- Windows are the Energy Rated ones they ordered
- All Installers and Surveyors are fully qualified and regularly audited to ensure that they are up to date with the latest regulations and practices
- The installation is covered by an insurance-backed guarantee
- A sample selection of installations are independently audited to ensure the highest standards are being upheld.
For any further information on the scheme, visit:
www.assurewindowsanddoors.com or Telephone 01282 473170.