Tanya Cooper, CEO of NFRC CPS explains what to look out for when sourcing a contractor for roof refurb projects and why price shouldn’t be the only consideration.

Tanya Cooper, CEO of NFRC CPS explains what to look out for when sourcing a contractor for roof refurb projects and why price shouldn’t be the only consideration.

COMPETENCY IS KEY…

In construction, defects and poor installation cause delays and create unnecessary extra costs. Using an NFRC CPS accredited contractor gives clients peace of mind that roofing refurb work will be done by a company that has proven it can complete the work properly. Defects may arise for a number of reasons: poor design, wrong material specification/selection or poor workmanship—possibly because the work was not carried out by experienced or qualified roofing contractors which work to the latest standards. A contractor may have gained their qualification 20 or more years ago but will be marketed as a qualified, up-to-date installer, despite having no evidence that they have kept up with changing standards and building regulations. In reality, clients can put themselves in safer hands by using a contractor that is part of a credible body or can prove they are up-to-date by ensuring its operatives have undertaken continuous professional development.

Competency is key when sourcing a roofing contractor

NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) realises the importance of proving competency across the roofing industry. Contractors who join NFRC’s Competent Person Scheme (CPS) have been thoroughly vetted against a robust set of technical standards to ensure they have skilled and competent operatives carrying out their roof refurbishment work.

An NFRC CPS contractor company can self-certify that their works meet the requirements of Building Regulations, without having to go through the lengthy and costly process of obtaining Building Control sign-off. The home or property owner will then receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate directly upon completion of the project and where eligible, an insurance-backed guarantee to protect them in the future. The contractor’s clients will have peace of mind that the work has been undertaken by a company that is continuously vetted against its workmanship.

NFRC also offers RoofCERT roofing accreditation, a competency scheme for the individual. It provides roofing operatives with a specialist accreditation to demonstrate that, alongside their existing skills and knowledge, they maintain awareness of the latest standards and building regulations relating to the work they undertake.

By becoming RoofCERT accredited, a roofing operative can provide a client or employer with visible proof of their essential roofing skills, putting them ahead of the game when seeking employment. Businesses who use RoofCERT accredited operatives can demonstrate they employ fully qualified and competent roofers, giving them the edge when tendering for work.

Contractors and individuals making these investments are supporting the roofing sector in proving that competency is key across the construction industry and allows roofing to be seen as a career of choice to our next generation of roofers.

 

If you are a contractor who is interested in registering to be part of NFRC CPS, or an individual roofer who is interested in RoofCERT please visit:

www.nfrccps.com

www.roofcert.co.uk

Back to top