Contractors

Self-certify work

Win new customers

Increasing productivity

Save money

Prove competency

About NFRC CPS

Established in 2006 and run by NFRC, our Competent Person Scheme (CPS) is the only active CPS scheme for the roofing sector in England and Wales.

The government’s CPS framework allows roofing contractors to self-certify that their work complies with Building Regulations. This saves clients time and money, as they would otherwise have to arrange a Building Control inspection to get the work approved.

Hundreds of contractors are approved under our Roofing Competent Person Scheme, self-certifying around 13,000 projects each year.

Registered Contractors

If you are already a registered contractor in NFRC CPS, login to the Contractor Portal.

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A REGISTERED NFRC CPS CONTRACTOR:

  • Ability to self-certify your work.
  • A Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (BRCC) is automatically sent to your client (multiple certificates for flats managed by Management Companies [flats of no more than four storeys]). BRCC’s issued through NFRC CPS are a fraction of the cost compared to Building Control.
  • A 10-year Insurance Backed Guarantee, provided by an insurance provider of your choice, for all job notifications under £50,000 (domestic, commercial and industrial)*
  • Your company profile on the NFRC CPS website
  • Use of the NFRC CPS logo
NFRC RoofCert Roofing Accreditation logo

The regulatory landscape

Building Regulations Approved Document L1B
NFRC CPS allows registered contractors to self-certify domestic, industrial and commercial work that comes under the Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document L1B. This obliges a refurbishment of more than 50% of a roof to meet mandatory energy-efficiency standards (repairs are not subject to this rule). Compliance with the necessary standards must be confirmed by a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (BRCC), to be issued within 30 days of the project’s completion. If the work falls short of the standards, then Building Control can force the property owner to rectify it by serving an enforcement notice.

Vetting and inspection

Registering for the NFRC CPS involves a thorough vetting process. Contractors on the scheme also undergo strict inspections. We evaluate a proportion of the work they do under Document L1B each year, for each of their roofing disciplines. The proportion increases if a contractor fails an inspection. The scheme itself is also closely monitored by UKAS, the government’s accreditation auditing service. UKAS requires us to follow rigorous policies and procedures while operating the scheme. NFRC CPS must also provide a detailed report on the performance of the Competent Person Scheme twice yearly.
Roof refurbishment ready for inspection of competent person

Advantages all round

By making life easier, and saving on Building Control fees, the NFRC CPS benefits clients, contractors and specifiers alike. Joining the NFRC CPS increases a contractor’s likelihood of winning work covered by Approved Document L1B. It also gives their clients confidence that they can perform the work to the standards required. At the same time, the scheme reduces the red tape associated with Document L1B. There is a simple online process for registering projects that come under its rules, while the NFRC CPS team deals with much of the paperwork involved. Contractors also benefit from free technical advice from our experts, as well as discounts on materials from quality-assured manufacturers.
Repair or refurbishment of house roof

WHAT THE SCHEME COVERS:

Self-certification, when 50% or more of the roof is being refurbished, for the following roofing categories:
  • Slating and Tiling and all other pitched works (including Shingles and Shakes).
  • Felt, Single Ply and GRP.
  • Fully supported lead, copper, zinc and standing-seam aluminium.
  • Liquid Applied Waterproofing.
  • Mastic Asphalt (incl. Hot Melt).
  • Reinforced Bitumen Membranes.
  • Sheeting.
  • Provision of roof lights—provided they are only inserted between rafters or on a like-for-like basis.
 

WHAT THE SCHEME DOESN’T COVER:

  • Where less than 50% of the roof is being replaced, as this falls out of the scope of Approved Document L1B
  • Any solar or photovoltaic installation
  • The following areas which fall under the remit of Building Control:
    • Work on trussed rafters.
    • Any structural glazed roof such as atriums.
    • New build work.
    • Structural work, unless like-for-like, e.g. rafters.

Fees:

FEE (ex VAT)
One-off joining fee £375.00
Annual account fee 2 Main Disciplines £415.00 per year Reduced rate for paying annually in advance
£37.50 per month*
3 Main Disciplines £565.00 per year Reduced rate for paying annually in advance
£52.00 per month**
Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (BRCC) fee £12.50
Issuing duplicate BRCC fee £25.00

*2 main disciplines paid monthly equates to £450 per year
**3 main disciplines paid monthly equates to £624 per year

How to join the NFRC Competent Person Scheme for roofing:

STAGE CONTRACTOR ACTION
Application Stage Select your preferred insurance provider (for IBG’s) by completing their individual online applications process:-
Complete the NFRC Competent Person Scheme application form
Pay the application fee
Desktop Audit Pass a probity check
Upload the following documents:
  • Employers Liability insurance
  • Public Liability insurance
  • Health & Safety policy
  • Complaints procedure
  • Sales contract
  • 10-year workmanship guarantee
  • Direct debit form
  • Sign and return the Contractor’s Declaration (this will be provided once you have completed an on-line application)
Provisional Status Granted Upload a reportable job
Completing the above steps will give you “provisional status” as an NFRC CPS Contractor and your details will be displayed on our website. To complete the process, NFRC CPS need to successfully complete an office and site audit—that’s why we need a “reportable job”.