Frequently asked questions from consumers

Q1 Why should I use a member of the Property Care Association (PCA)?

A1 By choosing a PCA member, customers will benefit from the fact that their problem will be correctly diagnosed, the work will be done by skilled and experienced operatives and that a guarantee is in place that, if anything goes wrong, it will be put right.

Q2 Are PCA members better than other contractors?

A2 There are some excellent contractors who are not members of the PCA, there are also many contractors who are simply cowboys. As they undergo no independent assessment, how are you to tell the quality? The fact that they are approved by a manufacturer is not necessarily a stamp of quality, as some manufacturers have no inspection procedures, in others it is purely nominal and only a few actually genuinely examine their contractors. The PCA examines every member, not only before being admitted to membership, but on an on-going basis. All member companies surveyors are required to be qualified to CSRT which is a written examination on all aspects of wood destroying beetles (and insects), wood destroying fungi, the legal implications of treatments, Party Walls Act, Endangered Species Act etc and, of course, health and safety. Specialist structural waterproofing contractors must also be qualified to CSSW and are further financially vetted by the GPT.

Q3 Will my family be affected by the chemicals used?

A3 Unless you are hyper-allergic, no. All member companies' technicians are trained in the safe use, handling and disposal of chemicals, work to approved codes of practice and use the safest chemicals available on the market.

Q4 What if I am not happy with the contractor's work?

A4 The PCA has a mediation service in place relating to technical disputes. If the dispute cannot be resolved by this method, the PCA can advise on independent consultants who will arbitrate in the matter (though this of course is subject to their fees). The independent consultants who are members of the PCA are used as expert witnesses in Court cases.

Q5 What if the contractor goes out of business?

A5 Most contractors issue 30 year guarantees but on average 75% of them go out of business within 20 years. This is much less in the PCA where they are financially assessed before being admitted into membership. Guarantee Protection Insurance Ltd (GPI) can offer an insurance certificate to insure you for a period of 20 years* from the time the work is carried out. If the contractor goes out of business the GPI will provide another PCA contractor in his place to rectify any problems under the guarantee, free of charge. *structural waterproofing mainly 10 years.

Q6 What is the difference between an insured guarantee and an insurance-backed guarantee?

A6 The GPI offers 20 years* insurance for a one-off payment. You will receive an insurance certificate for the full 20 year period. Your premium will be subject to Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) at 6% showing that you are buying a recognised insurance. Insurance-backed guarantees usually have insurance on an annual basis (though the warranty is for thirty years this is only from the company and not the insurers), the policy is in the name of the company issuing the guarantee or the warranty, and should in any year the insurance not be paid then you have no redress at all. These guarantees are easily recognised as they do not charge IPT, showing clearly that it is not an insurance policy. Some contractors offer guarantees from an off-shore company stating that it is free from IPT and free from VAT. *structural waterproofing mainly 10 years.

REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING IPT ON AN "INSURANCE" OR AN "INSURED" GUARANTEE THEN IT IS NOT INSURANCE. ONLY IF YOU ARE PAYING IPT AT 6% ON AN INSURANCE IS IT GENUINE INSURANCE.(Channel Isles & Isle of Man excepted)

SEE OUR LEAFLET UNDER LITERATURE: BE INSURE - INSURE for a full comparison of the benefits of insurance compared with "insurance-backed".

Q7 Why GPI instead of a manufacturer's guarantee when a manufacturer will cover the whole 30 years?

A7 First of all the GPI is a genuine insurance for the full 20 years* (see above). Secondly, GPI is completely independent and exists only to issue insurances, it does not manufacture, distribute, train or formulate. Guarantees are its only business, not an afterthought. *structural waterproofing mainly 10 years.

Q8 What happens if GPI goes into liquidation?

A8 GPI is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Q9 What happens if I sell my property?

A9 The GPI Insurance is on the property and goes with the property when you sell, giving added value. There is no need to inform us of a change in ownership and there are no transfer fees. Many contractors charge an assignment fee and failure to advise a change of ownership can result in their guarantee being cancelled. Though this won't affect our insurance you should always check on the contractor's requirements, because if he is still in business it is his responsibility to correct faults.