The Benefits of Membership

A champion of the industry; the PCA offers a wealth of benefits satisfying the needs of its members and works hard to support them in their businesses. Value for money.

The PCA Logo - A badge of excellence that sets your company above others; display your logo with pride - contact the PCA for your free van stickers. Only full members of the Association are eligible to use the PCA/BWPDA logo.  We fiercely 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.

Surveyors Competence Certificate - The ‘Surveyor Competence Certificates’ demonstrate to the consumer that, by using a PCA member, they are using a qualified surveyor who has been professionally trained in identifying the causes of dampness and wood destroying organisms.
The certificates, which can be completed by Surveyors who have achieved the CSRT qualification, can be used as an addition to survey reports to verify it has been undertaken by a qualified remedial treatment surveyor and therefore conforms to PCA guidelines and recommendations.
This will instil confidence in property owners about the proficiency of PCA members. The Surveyor Competence Certificates are available to download on the members’ section of the website.

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 route to find reliable and trustworthy trade’s people and is a selling point for members who can promote the fact that their trade body is accredited to the standard. Free TrustMark van stickers are available from the PCA office and members are listed on the TrustMark website.

Guarantee Protection InsuranceDelivering 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 and earn dividends.

Audits Technical audits are 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 and is an excellent tool to reassure consumers that members continue to be monitored whilst in membership.

Online The PCA website gets 100,000 hits a year, 78% of which are members of the public looking for a member of the Association. www.property-care.org

Editorial Editorial coverage to the tune of over £100,000 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@ June 2010

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

Targeted Communications The Law Society, the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters and the Association of British Insurers are just some representatives contacted with communications campaigns to highlight the fact that members of the PCA, formerly the BWPDA, can help with flood damage.

Banner advertisingThis is available on the website to companies that operate in the field of manufacturing, or provide other services such as insurance. PCA member contractors, consultants & surveyors are excluded from banner advertising as are any other individuals and companies and companies that are considered to be in competition with PCA members.
The cost of a banner advertisement is £400 + VAT for members for a period of 8 weeks.

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.

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

Chas The PCA is qualified and approved to undertake CHAS assessments and register its members as CHAS compliant. Contact the office for further details.

Documents A wealth of informative technical advice is available on the website which has been reviewed, extended and improved. You can also purchase BSI standards through the PCA at a discounted rate.

Technical Panel The technical panel is a group of industry experts with a broad range of knowledge and expertise. These specialists are part of 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.

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.

Annual Awards Dinner This annual occasion offers members the opportunity to attend a prestigious awards dinner at a noteworthy venue. At this event the awards are presented for accomplishments made throughout the year. These recognise the most outstanding students along with achievements and innovations by members of the association.

Regional Meetings Free of charge and for members only, these meetings enable you to share news and views with industry colleagues. Ideal for networking, these meetings give you an opportunity to hear about other member’s ideas and practices. They are held at venues in 5 different regions in order to give every one the chance to attend.

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

Representation The PCA represents members in a variety of ways including lobbying Government and 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. In conjunction with our partners, Stallard Kane we offer a free annual health and safety update course and service which can be upgraded to meet the needs of your company. Their number is 0845 838 7301.

Bondpay - All PCA members are registered with Bondpay a payment protection scheme. Bondpay is a nationwide scheme designed to financially protect contractors, giving them a guarantee that they will get paid in total what they are owed once the work is completed.
The scheme will ensure you will get paid promptly after you finish the job assisting in cash flow and that all important relationship with your suppliers!

Specialist Advice - You can also contact Stallard Kane for employment law advice and opt to receive a regular newsletter which advises on legal issues. An annual employment law update course will be offered and members can gain access to specialist advice documents housed in the “members’ area” on the Stallard Kane Associates website www.stallardkaneassociates.com

Helpline Just a phone call away, the PCA office provides a helpline which is available to all members from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

HELPLINE: 0844 375 4301

Resources A vast range of 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.

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.

Exclusive Credit Facility for GPT Members Providing the work you’re doing is covered by a GPI guarantee you will be able to offer your customers two finance options enabling them to either defer any payment for 6 months and then have the option of paying off the full amount interest free or take out an 8 year loan.

Training and ExaminationsThe PCA is the only organisation offering industry-specific training, and a wide choice of courses are provided at the members’ discounted rate giving you and your company a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

General TrainingSpecial rates are available for PCA members on a variety of training courses such as First aid, manual handling, Risk assessment, handling conflicts and many more.

Your own team to deliver the services and support you need:

• Steve Hodgson, General Manager, steve@property-care.org
  
• Bonnie Relph, Helpline – Information and research, bonnie@property-care.org
  
• Kim Olivier – Membership services, kim@property-care.org
  
• Hannah Clarke – Meetings, Training and Qualifications, hannah@property-care.org
  
• Sue Uttridge – Company Secretary, sue@property-care.org
• Require more information?

Request an application pack

To request an application pack please click this link and complete the form and the information will be sent to you within 5 working days.