Understanding the Professional Consultants Certificate: A Comprehensive Guide
Build Warranty Group published this September 2023 guide to the Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC), an indemnity scheme used on UK building projects.
A PCC is a statement from a qualified professional consultant that a property has been built in line with approved drawings, building regulations instructions and the planning application. It can be based on ongoing monitoring with inspections during construction. When issues are found, owners have the chance to put them right; anything left unresolved is recorded as an exclusion and is not covered.
The firm says the certificate supports confidence in structural soundness. Having carried out a visual inspection to check the build meets a suitable standard, the issuer remains liable for structural problems for the cover period if found negligent. That protection extends to owners, their lenders and later purchasers.
On claims, the guide explains that in the first year builders must put right defects or damage resulting from substandard work, at their own expense and within a reasonable time, including the cost of moving out during repairs. They remain liable for defects reported during that year even after it ends. Cover applies to specified parts of the home, usually structure and weatherproofing, such as foundations, load-bearing walls, ceilings and roofs, and takes effect one year after the insurance certificate is issued. Wear and tear, cosmetic damage, problems caused by poor maintenance and below-ground drainage the owner is responsible for are excluded. For refurbishments and conversions, the certificate relates only to the new work under planning approval, not the existing structure, although concerns may be raised for the client's benefit. After year one, claims arising from the company's negligence can be brought against it.
The guide concludes that understanding the PCC matters for new build, refurbishment and conversion projects, and promotes Build Warranty as an experienced provider offering thorough inspections and reassurance.
Source: Build Warranty Group, original article (27 September 2023)
