Member benefits

A Recognised Standard

The PCA Logo - A badge of distinction, this sets your company above others; wear your logo with pride, contact the PCA for your free van stickers. We protect the PCA identity and rigorous action is taken against anyone misusing the logo. Members are also able to use the BWPDA logo, which is also very carefully protected.

Business From Specifiers - Membership entitles you to get business from specifiers, which is a huge driver of business to the doorsteps of contractors. Many calls are received by the helpdesk on a daily basis from people that have been advised or instructed to use a member of the PCA by their lender.

TrustMark - The PCA is a member of this Government-backed initiative. Representing a seal of approval for consumers, it gives them a trusted route to find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople and is a selling point for members who can promote the fact that their trade body is accredited to the standard. You can also ask the PCA for free TrustMark van stickers.

Guarantee Protection Insurance – delivering additional customer confidence, this FSA-backed insurance policy offers peace of mind for clients and PCA members get a substantial discount of 30 per cent as opposed to non-members, for the cover. Members can also enjoy other benefits including earning dividends by selling GPI cover; it allows for members to effectively be a shareholder of GPI, earn dividends and eventually earn capital if GPI shares were sold.

Audits – Carried out by the PCA Regional Support Officers to monitor, advise and support members. This process is the ultimate recognition of a contractor’s high standards and commitment to best practice in the industry.

Marketing Support

Online – The PCA website gets more than 100,000 hits a year, many of which are members of the public looking for a member of the association. A new website is being introduced soon, which will further enhance the PCA’s online presence. www.property-care.org

Editorial – Editorial coverage to the tune of almost £80,000 has been secured in less than 12 months*, in publications that count such as specifier journals and property professional publications. Endorsement of the PCA has also been covered in glossy consumer magazines geared up towards homeowners, as well as a considerable amount of coverage in the regional press.

* Figure@ October 2007

Advertising – A comprehensive campaign has been implemented to raise awareness of the PCA in general.

Help With Your Publicity – Contractors, surveyors and consultants can take advantage of a new free service from the PCA’s PR team, which offers help with words for member’s brochures and websites.

Targeted Communications – In the aftermath of the recent flooding, the Law Society, the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters and the Association of British Insurers are just some representatives contacted with a communications campaign to highlight the fact that members of the PCA, formerly the BWPDA, can help with flood damage.

Yellow Pages – Take advantage of more prominent advertising without it costing you a fortune, by joining forces with other members in your area. Showcase your company within a large professional looking box-style advertisement and pay only your own share towards it.

Technical

Advice – Membership enables members to access some of the best, most up-to-date information in the industry.

Documents – A wealth of informative technical advice is available on the website. This is being reviewed, extended and improved for the new PCA site. You can also purchase BSI standards through the PCA at a discounted rate.

Technical Panel – The technical panel is peopled by industry experts with a broad range of expertise. These experts have been invited to join the panel as volunteers and will respond to technical enquiries received by the staff at the PCA office. The service has been designed to deliver a prompt and reliable response to technical questions, both for members of the public and industry professionals.

In Touch

Newsletters – Sent regularly throughout the year, free of charge to members, newsletters keep readers in touch with the latest issues in the industry. A variety of topics are covered, from the law to marketing, HR to finance and members are encouraged to contribute items of interest.

Conferences – These non profit making events bring together industry experts and ideas to you in a single package, which would often be too costly and inaccessible for members to arrange individually.

Regional Meetings – Free of charge and for members only, these meetings enable you to share news and views with industry colleagues. Mix business with a sociable lunch and get to know other member’s ideas and practices – a great sounding board.

Networking – Build relationships and look for opportunities at our regional meetings and conferences using the power of networking.

Exhibitions – Manufacturer members can exhibit free of charge at conferences, giving contractors the chance to see the latest innovations, as well as tried and tested methods on the market.

A Helping Hand

Representation – The PCA represents members in a variety of ways, from lobbying Government through to being involved in the consultation process in the development of new Government standards.

Health and Safety – Helping members to navigate the latest requirements, the PCA keeps members up-to-date with significant demands and changes in legislation.

Helpline – Just a phone call away, the PCA office provides a helpline which is available to all members from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Helpline: 0870 121 6737

Resources – Model guarantees and technical documents are available free of charge in the members’ section of the website.

Mediation – A recognised channel for when things go wrong, the PCA offers a professional procedure, delivering support and advice when a complaint is made

Working For You

Training and Examinations – Tap into the training courses provided by the PCA at the members' discounted price; this gives you and your company a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The PCA is the only organisation offering industry-specific training.

General Business Insurance – Save time ploughing through quotes - the PCA has developed partnerships and encouraged competition to get insurance for members at a significant discount.

Finally - The Team – Your own team in the new PCA office, working effectively and more efficiently than ever to deliver the services and support you need.

• Yasmin Chopin, Director, yasmin@property-care.org
• Stephen Hodgson, Deputy Director, stephen@property-care.org
• Eleana Askew, Helpline – Information and research, eleana@property-care.org
• Kim Olivier – Membership services, kim@property-care.org
• Hannah Clarke – Meetings, Training and Qualifications, hannah@property-care.org
• Sue Uttridge – PA to the Directorate, sue@property-care.org