Professional Consultants Certificates - PCC
The Affordable Structural Warranty
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The No. 1 Choice for CML Approved Building Certificates
Fast and secure cover with a BUILD WARRANTY Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC), also known as an Architect Certificate, with the option of 6 or 10 yr cover available Service and efficiency are our forte ensuring we provide the best technical advice and low prices guaranteed. We offer cover for all projects that are monitored. All certificates are approved by CML/UK Finance and the majority of Lender.
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#5 simple steps
To generate a quote on your behalf we require:
- The stage of construction
- The type of property – detached house, flat etc.
- The number of properties to be certified
- The insurance level you require
- The postcode of the site
- Your name, phone number and email address
Invoices can be settled by bank transfer.
Please note that PCC charges are not directly linked to the inspection visits. It is mandatory that we maintain insurance cover from the commencement of your case for the life of the certificate.
A copy of the project drawings
A copy of the planning consent
- A copy of the building regulations completion certificate (at practical completion build stage) This document is essential and required prior to issue of our PCC!
Once a site inspection has been requested, our nominated surveyor will call you directly to arrange a convenient day and time for the inspection.
Once our surveyor has conducted the site inspection, they are required to submit a report for approval. Once the report has been approved, you are sent a PDF copy which can then be printed as normal or forwarded on (to a solicitor for example).
Your certificate will normally be issued within 24 hours of the property inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
CML/UK Finance & Lender Approved Indemnity Schemes
General Questions
What is a suitable building standards indemnity scheme?
There are two indemnity schemes suitable for Lenders, either:
- A Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC), or,
- A Structural Defect Warranty
What is a PCC?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) now called UK Finance has created the PCC on behalf of the banks to formalize and standardize the certification of newly built or newly converted residential property.
The UK Finance standard PCC certificate needs to be administered and signed off by a chartered professional consultant such as a Surveyor who must be registered with the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB) or an Architect who is registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for it to be valid.
Professional Consultants Certificates were previously called Architects Certificates.
What do you mean by newly converted residential property?
This is a property converted to a dwelling through a ‘material change of use’, such as converting a commercial office building into a dwelling, or a redundant barn into a dwelling.
Why do I need a PCC for newly converted residential property?
It has always been in the CML/UK Finance guidelines for lenders to request a PCC for newly converted property, however, some mortgage lenders may have overlooked this in the past. We have found during the last 12 – 18 months that mortgage lenders have been tightening up on their lending criteria, and as such have been making sure these certificates are available.
My build is being inspected under building regulations, why do I need any further certification?
It is a statutory (legal) requirement to have any new build or conversion project monitored by a building inspector under a building regulations application, for compliance with The Building Act 1984.
Unfortunately, the banks and building societies do not consider the building regulations to be a suitable form of guarantee for mortgage purposes. Therefore, they insist on either a PCC or Structural Warranty, which is additional to the building regulations.
Professionals you can trust
Who is the Professional Consultant who signs the certificate?
All the certificates are monitored and signed off by a highly qualified Chartered Professional who specializes in construction standards surveying.
Our Chartered Professionals have more than 35 years experience in the industry and qualifications to meet the Professional Consultants Certificate criteria set out by CML/UK Finance making our certificates fully approved by Lenders.
Why should we use your company?
Quite simply, no other company can match us for a combination of expertise, speed and cost.
- Expertise: Our certificates are administered by a leading Chartered Professional with 35 years of residential property experience.
- Speed: We operate a state of the art online software platform. This means quotes; receipts and certificates are issued almost instantly. Our surveyors cover the UK and have access to the systems on the go. We have been known to issue retrospective certificates in less than 24 hours – which is great for those who are relying on this for a property exchange.
- Cost: Our digital systems drive efficiencies, which reduce costs. We can pass these onto customers. Our instant quotes offer great value, and our system builds in great discounts for those with multiple properties to certify.
Lenders and Insurance
Which and how many Lenders accept the PCC?
The majority of the mainstream residential mortgage lenders accept the PCC. You can find the current list of lenders by viewing the CML Lenders list at https://buildwarranty.co.uk/lender-approvals and also the Lenders Handbook at: https://www.cml.org.uk/lenders-handbook To fully satisfy yourselves, contact the lenders direct.
What is the difference between a PCC and a Structural Warranty?
A PCC is a certificate of compliance, which provides an option of 6 or 10 years of cover as approved by the CML/UK Finance on behalf of the Lenders. The Professional Consultant must only issue the certificate when they are satisfied the building has been built to an approved standard.
A Structural Warranty is an insurance-backed product, which is often underwritten by large insurance brokers, and they usually come with 10 years’ cover. Like all insurance products, they come with a 2-year defect liability period for the developer and a host of conditions.
In terms of build quality, generally, we only require properties to be constructed to current UK building regulations standards, whereas Structural Warranty providers often require a much higher standard of construction.
With all of the above, a PCC is a much more cost-effective option for providing mortgage ready certification for newly built properties
So, is the PCC insurance backed?
The PCC is not an insurance-backed product (nor Defects Liability Insurance). The Professional Consultants are insured. The professionals are the ones administering and issuing the certificates; therefore, they must carry professional indemnity insurance for the six-year or ten-year life span of the certificate.
So what if something goes wrong?
Remedies for defects should be sought from the builder or contractor if discovered in the first 24 months following the completion of the services.
So how do you resolve problems using a PCC?
Primarily, we do everything diligently and upfront to make sure that you don’t have any major structural problems in the first place. Providing a PCC is more about prevention than cure. The Professional Consultants Certificate will certainly fulfill all of your financial and funding requirements, but it is NOT an insurance-backed, latent defects insurance.
But mistakes can still be made so how do I make a claim on a PCC?
With a Professional Consultants Certificate, you will not be able to claim for snagging issues or items such as flaking paintwork or a faulty door handle. If the surveyor is found to be negligent in his duties, which leads to a structural problem then a claim against their Professional Indemnity Insurance would be valid.
What if your company was to cease trading, what would happen to the certificate or insurance?
A professional consultant who carries professional indemnity insurance for the six-year or 10-year life span of the certificate administers your certificate. Our professional consultants are underwritten by one of the UK’s largest insurers, so we do not anticipate any issues regarding insurance. In the event they cease practicing or ‘retire’, they are required by the CML/UK Finance to maintain insurance run-off cover ensuring that all the certificates issued are covered for their life span.
What is your level of insurance cover?
We are insured up to £5 million for each and every claim.
Can I see a copy of your insurance cover?
Yes. Each certificate is issued with a copy of the insurance. If you would like to see a copy before order, please speak with a member of our support staff who can help.
Can I see an example of the certificate?
Yes. If you would like to see a copy prior to order, please speak with a member of our support staff who can help.
What if the buyer of my new build or converted property is a cash buyer, do I still need a PCC?
We are finding that because mortgage lenders ask for an indemnity scheme, more and more cash buyers are demanding them, to avoid any future financing problems.
During Certification
Do you issue ‘original’ or ‘paper copies’ of your certificates?
We do not issue paper copies of certificates. This is because our systems are digital, meaning the certificates are generated electronically. Upon certification of each stage, you are sent a ‘PDF’ copy of the certificate. The PDF copy can then be printed as normal or forwarded (to a solicitor for example).
Each certificate contains a unique identifying code (an electronic signature). Our systems provide a complete audit trail, which maintains the ability to prove who has signed off the certificate.
Electronic signatures are valid and legally binding around the world. The adoption of the European Directive 1999/93/EC of 13 December 1999 established a community framework for the use of electronic signatures on electronic contracts in the EU.
Of course, if you are unable, we are happy to print a copy of the certificate from our end and post to you. Please let us know.
When will I receive my certificate?
Your certificate is normally issued within 24 hours of the property inspection
Is the Professional Consultants Certificate transferable?
Yes. The certificate is valid for 6 or 10 years, depending on the cover you take and it is from date of issue. It is transferable to any future purchasers of the dwelling, but it is ultimately the Property that is covered.
My mortgage lender has requested confirmation that you will be supervising the works. Can you provide a letter?
Yes. This can be provided for you and emailed to you following your order. We would need:
- Your lender’s name and address
- Your mortgage application or ‘roll number’
Certification Stages
What services do you offer?
We can offer certificates for properties that:
- Have not yet commenced construction
- Are part way through construction
- Are completed
What are the key ‘or certified’ stages?
The key stages are as follows:
- Stage 1. DPC: All works completely to damp proof
- Stage 2. Watertight: Property completed to roof level and weather tight
- Stage 3. First Fix: Internal plastering and first fix of joinery completed
- Followed by:
- Stage 4. Practical Completion: All works completed
What is a defect?
We are not looking at cosmetic items such as a loose door handle or flaking paint. We will make sure there are no structural faults or any missing items (roof tiles for example) which could be prone to water ingress.
Is there a reason why a Professional Consultants Certificate would not be issued?
Not particularly. We take overall responsibility for the works on the property and provide a guarantee to the mortgage lender for the next six years. This creates considerable risk. If our property inspections determine there are defective works we would first, highlight these to you in a report, and offer you the opportunity to correct the defective items. Once all defective items have been completed, we will issue the certificate.
Generally, if the building inspector has approved the works, then there should not be a problem.
How many inspections do you make?
Usually, only one inspection per key stage is necessary. However, if for some reason we had to reject a stage, or wanted to view additional items, then additional inspections could be made at our discretion.
Therefore, if your project has:
- Not yet commenced construction, we would make 4 inspections corresponding with the stages above.
- You have started construction, but have not yet reached DPC level, we would make 4 inspections corresponding with the stages above.
- You have started construction, and have passed DPC stage, we would make 2-3 inspections corresponding with the stages above.
- Construction is completed, then we would make 1 inspection corresponding with the Practical Completion stage above.
Monitoring and Retrospective Services
What is the difference between a monitoring service and a retrospective service?
Generally, if you have not yet started the build you will require a monitoring service. This is where we make inspections during the works.
A monitoring service provides you with interim (or stage) certificates, which can be used to for ‘draw down’ payments from the banks. This is an added value service.
If your build has been completed, then you will require the retrospective service as we can only make one post completion inspection.
This is not recommended as may lenders are hesitant to accept a retrospective PCC. However, there are certain situations where a PCC is the only option and subject to lenders acceptance, it is possible to offer a retrospective PCC.
How can you certify retrospectively?
We have been through a lengthy audit process with our insurers. They are satisfied with our company’s expertise and quality assurance procedures so allow us to administer the certificates retrospectively.
What about conversion projects such as barn conversions or change of use?
We accept under-conversion projects, the main building is already complete. However, some projects have extensions meaning the four usual stages including DPC apply. However, if there were to be no additions, then we would recommend using 3 stages as follows:
- Water tight: As the building is existing, we would use this stage to examine the strip-out and structure.
- First Fix: Internal plastering and first fix of joinery completed.
- Practical Completion: All works completed.
What about flats?
When certifying flats, each flat will need its certificate. This is because the banks are aware each flat could be sold independently. Our quotation system builds in discounts when certifying several flats at the same time.
What documents do you require?
- A copy of the project drawings
- A copy of the planning consent
- A copy of the building regulations completion certificate (at the practical completion build stage) This document is essential and required before issue of our PCC!
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