What are trade associations?

Trade associations, by definition, sit at the heart of their industry. They are often seen as the voice of the industry, representing thousands of individuals and businesses and acting as a key point of contact for governments. As such, joining a good trade association can bring you a host of benefits that can make a real difference to the way you work and also how your customers perceive you. 

 

What’s in it for me?

While the specific benefits gained from each association will differ – there are a number of common threads. One of the most important of these is the enhanced credibility you’ll get with customers. Membership of key organisations is often seen as a badge of quality that people can trust. This is due to the stringent standards and codes of practice you often need to follow to qualify for inclusion. And it’s worth it – being able to display the recognised mark of a respected industry institution works wonder s for how your business is perceived. It’s like being recommended by a trusted friend.

In the roofing industry we are fortunate to have a number of strong, active trade associations that play a huge role in promoting and supporting the industry and raising standards. 

 

Please see below for information re:

1. NFRC

2. TrustMark

3. CompetentRoofer

4. SPRA

5. CORC

All the guidance and protection you need under one roof

The NFRC needs you, you need the NFRC

Whether you are an architect, property owner, specifier, roofing contractor, in a fastchanging construction environment such as roofing, it’s more important than ever that you have access to all the guidance and protection there is. That’s where the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Limited (NFRC) comes in.

A hub of roofing knowledge

Representing over 70% of the roofing industry by value and volume, NFRC is the largest and most influential roofing trade association in the UK and its primary aim is to promote quality contractors and quality products, ensuring that its members are at the forefront of all roofing developments.

NFRC also recognises that architects and specifiers are pivotal to the design and specification of roofing products, and that’s why it acts as a single source of roofing knowledge and expertise for these communities. In turn, by using the services of NFRC members, architects and specifiers are guaranteed protection and quality for each and every project.

 

Representing the entire industry

NFRC is on hand to assist both its contractor and supplier members – together with affiliated members, made up of roofing colleges and training centres – with complete help and guidance on all matters roofing.

As well as actively ensuring that all members offer high standards of workmanship, NFRC also ensures sound business practice through a strict code of practice and vetting procedure which includes site inspections and adhering to the Government endorsed TrustMark standards. 

NFRC may be a national organisation, but it operates regionally too. Members have access to a dedicated Regional Manager and a variety of technical and business events located across the UK. 

In addition to providing training services, technical and health and safety advice, and representing member interests to the wider construction industry and Government, NFRC operates CompetentRoofer, a scheme that allows competent roofing contractors to self-certify that their roof refurbishment work complies with Building Regulations. 

NFRC launched a National Heritage Roofing Contractors Register in order to recognise companies that undertake this specialist discipline. It is fully supported by English Heritage, Cadw Welsh Historic Monuments, the Environment and Heritage Service for Northern Ireland and Historic Scotland.

NFRC brings together a variety of Trade Associations and organisations across all the roofing disciplines that strive to promote and endorse excellence.

What are the advantages of NFRC membership?

Why it makes sense to be or work with an NFRC contractor:

 

• Confidence andsecurity NFRC asks only for the best.

All member contractors are rigorously vetted in their chosen roofing disciplines before joining and every three years thereafter. As well as satisfactory training records, inspections of past contracts are made to verify quality craft skills and technical competence.

Member compliance with Health and Safety legislation is vital, as is compliance with the NFRC Code of Practice and Constitution and Rules in order to promote a fair deal between members companies and clients.

• Peace ofmind

NFRC members are able to offer a range of warranties for large repairs, refurbishments and new roofs. These include Insurance Backed Guarantees or a Latent Defect Policy, both of which can cover ten years. The contracting company guarantees his workmanship, the manufacturer guarantees the materials and the insurance company underwrites the guarantees.

• Competent reassurance

​NFRC operates CompetentRoofer which allows self-certification of Building Regulations on roof refurbishment. This means there is no need to notify LABC and wait for approval, hence no delays on the job and the client receives a free ten-year warranty on all domestic properties. Blocks of flats are classed as commercial residential rather than domestic. Commercial contracts can also be insured. Plus, further reassurance is provided as the roofing contractor is regularly inspected to ensure competence and compliance with Building Regulations.

Fully audited by UKAS, CompetentRoofer is an ‘Accredited Body’ for Green Deal and ECO work and able to authorise to PAS 2030, helping to improve standards and professionalism within the roofing industry

• Technical support

Free technical support is available to all clients of NFRC member contractors. Plus, NFRC supplements this service with a comprehensive series of technical publications to support both members and clients

Technical matters

Although it has been established for over 120 years, NFRC is constantly adapting to new techniques and technologies and working with leading industry bodies to raise standards for the whole industry

• Working closely with BSI, NHBC, HSE and others, NFRC has established many of the key roofing technical standards such as BS 5427 Code of Practice for Sheeting and Cladding and BS 5534 Code of Practice for Slating and Tiling.
• Members and their clients get free access to expertise from the Technical Managers including health and safety advice.
• Operating numerous technical committees, advisory and focus groups, NFRC also provides secretariat for a number of organisations across the industry including the Green Roof Organisation (GRO).

Training ethos

As we move towards a more competent and professional roofing industry, NFRC is ensuring its members are kept up to date through:

Training ethos As we move towards a more competent and professional roofing industry, NFRC is ensuring its members are kept up to date through:

• Supporting its affiliated members and Roof Training Groups all over the UK, with technical advice, learning resources, current information and materials via supplier members.
• Developing and maintaining vocational qualifications relating to all the major roofing disciplines to keep standards high and up to date.
• Designing and implementing technical standards across the industry.
• Securing funding via CITB to develop training programmes which are relevant to the technical standards needed by the industry, and wherever possible, free to its members. 
• • Organising regional, national, and international skills competitions for young roofers across all major roofing disciplines. 

 

How can I find out more?

To find out more about how the NFRC visit www.nfrc.co.uk

Think Roofs, Think NFRC 

 

Following the introduction of the new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015 earlier this month, TrustMark, the only Government-endorsed scheme for all trades in and around the home, is providing support and advice to help roofers comply with the significant health and safety requirements which now apply to all home improvements and building work.

From 6 April, the new regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects, have applied to all domestic projects for the first time regardless of the size, duration and nature of the work. Replacing CDM 2007, this new piece of legislation is designed to help improve health and safety and reduce accidents during building projects.

Building firms need to review their health and safety processes to ensure they are compliant with the new law. Failure to comply with the new regulations could risk future sales of a property if the homeowner cannot produce the required paperwork – specifically for many jobs, a health and safety file, which outlines how the work was undertaken and what was installed. The HSE is also likely to target domestic jobs for more frequent inspections. 

The key changes include: 

• All building projects must have a written construction phase safety plan.
• CDM applies to all building and construction work, including new build, demolition, refurbishment, extensions, conversions, repair and maintenance.
• All domestic projects will have to meet the same basic standards for the provision of welfare facilities as commercial projects, such as access to toilets.
• There is a duty to make sure all people working on the job have the right skills, knowledge, training and experience.
• Where there is more than one contractor, a principal designer (typically an architect) must also be appointed and they coordinate all matters relating to health and safety.
• If the principal designer changes or is not engaged to the end, the responsibility for the file moves on and may rest finally with the principal contractor.
• Any domestic projects finishing after April 6, where there has been more than one contractor, must have a health and safety file presented at the end.

 

Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark, says: “These new CDM 2015 Regulations will help to reduce accidents during building projects by involving everyone – architects, builders and the homeowner. It’s a positive step forward to helping everyone enjoy a safe working relationship on all home improvements and building projects. 

“It is important now that all TrustMark-registered firms get the detailed guidance they need in order to ensure they are fully compliant. I’m delighted our approved scheme operators in this sector, including the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), are already busy providing this support to their TrustMark–registered firms.”

For further information and to stay up-to-date with developments at TrustMark, visit www.trustmark.org.uk

For further information on the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015, go to www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg411.pdf or www.citb.co.uk/health-safety-and-othertopics/health-safety/construction-design-and-management-regulations/ for industry guidance documents

 

What is CompetentRoofer?

The CompetentRoofer scheme is a Government – licenced Competent Person programme that allows roofers to self-certify their own roof refurbishment work as compliant with the Building Regulations in England and Wales. All jobs have to satisfy these regulations, so if you’re not able to self-certify you’ll need to get the Local Authority to sign your projects off as complete and compliant.

The scheme is managed by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) under licence from the Department for Communities and Local Government. Becoming a member is a great way to save time, money and give your customers further assurance of you and your services.

Why Building Regulations matter?

Building Regulations are minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. They are developed by the Government and approved by Parliament and are not something you can disregard. If ignored the contractor could face a hefty fine and the cost of putting the work right. As a CompetentRoofer you can sign your work off as compliant and save yourself valuable time and money. 

The Building Regulations come into effect when 50% or more of the roof area is being refurbished: 

• Before work on a roof is carried out the local council i.e. the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) must be informed of the intention to carry out work.
• Details and extent of the proposed work should be confirmed to the LABC within an application to repair/renovate and the fee paid.
• The LABC will inspect the work periodically to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations and with the drawings/specifications supplied in the application. A completion certificate will be issued at the end of the contract.
• An approved inspector may be employed to confirm compliance as an alternative to the LABC process. 
• Alternatively using a contractor who is a member of a Competent Person Scheme who can self-certify that their work complies with UK Building Regulations – for example a CompetentRoofer registered contractor.

Should the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) become aware of unauthorised work being carried out and the above process has not been undertaken? 

• There is a maximum fine of £5000 for each confirmed case of non-compliance of the regulations and this would fall on the homeowner and/or the roofing contractor.
• Roof work may be halted if started without the LABC being informed and any work opened up for inspection.
• If work is carried out without a Building Control completion certificate the homeowner can experience difficulties when coming to sell the house. 

What exactly is Competentroofer?

CompetentRoofer is an accreditation of the contractor’s technical ability to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations. It is quite distinct from trade associations like the NFRC. While both do fantastic work for the industry, with members enjoying all the benefits they bring, you still need to become a member of CompetentRoofer before selfcertifying your work.

The main membership benefit is that you don’t need to wait for a Local Authority surveyor to inspect the work – saving you both time and money. The scheme covers all roofing types for domestic, industrial and commercial properties and anyone can apply (as long as you’re a roofer!). CompetentRoofer also issues insurance-backed warranty on behalf of its members at no extra cost to the building owner (including breach of Building Regulations and contractor insolvency).

What happens when I join Competentroofer?

CompetentRoofer is open to all roofing contractors and once you apply for membership a series of checks are carried out. These are followed by an audit of your site and quality management procedures, technical competence and health and safety practices. There’s also an on-site inspection of work in progress. Members are fully vetted and inspected a minimum of twice per year, which gives your clients extra assurance that they’re working with a reputable contractor.

Is it worth it?

Yes. CompetentRoofer offers ease, flexibility and very low cost for notification of roofing refurbishment works. It’s given contractors all over the UK a seriously competitive edge, and saved their customers significant amounts of money and, of course, time.

Membership of the scheme also assures your customers that you’re a credible, competent roofing company that provides quality work and peace of mind. 

• Save time and money by being able to provide an all-in-one service to your customers 
• No need for you or your customers to pay for a Building Control Officer 
• Domestic works receive a 10 year insolvency warranty, included in the price
• You can include the cost of self-certification in your pricing 
• Members are listed by Local Authorities