Competent Roofer Scheme

It has been a legal requirement for


some time to notify Local Authority

Building Control (LABC) of major

refurbishment work on buildings. This

can be a costly and time-consuming

process and failure to notify can result

in prosecution and a hefty fine. NFRC

has been campaigning for some time

to be allowed to manage a Competent

Person Scheme (CPS) for roofing. In a

ground breaking announcement, the

government has recently declared

that NFRC will be allowed to run a

scheme called CompetentRoofer

which will allow roofers to self-certify

on Building Regulations. Therefore,

if you are a contractor that regularly

deals with roofing refurbishment

work, and in turn the LABC, it’s in

your best interest that you join the

CompetentRoofer scheme, saving

you both time and money.

NFRC members who join will benefit

from a special discounted rate. This

takes into account the checks and

inspections that have already been

undertaken on members and it is

our intention to run the scheme in

parallel to NFRC membership allowing

members to gain dual membership with

a dual logo.

HOW THE SCHEME OPERATES:

NFRC members will undergo a simple

‘desk top revue’ conducted by post

and will then be able to immediately

start self-certifying in their approved

disciplines. Non-members will be able

to join, however they will need to

undergo (and pass) a full site inspection

prior to being allowed to self-certify.

As part of the scheme, members will

notify NFRC when any refurbishment

work is being undertaken either online

or by fax and there will be a simple

system of registration, undertaken by

NFRC that will send the customer

and the relevant local authority the

necessary Building Control Certificate.

All companies will receive a minimum of

2 spot site inspections during the year to

validate the authorisation. All domestic

and commercial work will come with

automatic insolvency insurance in the

price of the certificate. This presents a

huge business advantage to companies

in providing an all-in-one service

to customers, especially when it is

considered that LABC currently charge

up to £400 per job for certification and

the appropriate certificate.

As part of the CompetentRoofer

membership, members will receive

comprehensive advice on the regulations

that will be endorsed by LABC which

will be the definitive document on

interpretation of the regulations (no

more different interpretations from

different authorities). This will help

to ensure members are aware of, and

can work to, the appropriate Building

Regulations applicable to areas of

work. In addition, members will be

provided with regular good practice

guidance notes. Companies will also

be required to attend annual technical

seminars covering updates on Building

Regulations.