SAP Certificates
New Build Dwellings Accreditation Scheme
The Elmhurst Accreditation Scheme for new build dwellings enables members to produce Government endorsed EPCs using the approved Elmhurst Design SAP Rating Software.
All EPCs need to be produced by accredited (licensed) SAP Assessors and lodged with the Governments central database in order to be legally valid. The key functions of the Scheme are to ensure all members:
- Are sufficiently trained, qualified and or experienced in SAP2005 energy rating
- Have thorough knowledge and understanding of all relevant building regulations and technical standards
- Appropriately insured
- Abide by code of professional conduct
- Are subject to ongoing independent quality assurance
- Have access to an independent complaints resolution service
The key benefits of the Elmhurst Scheme include:
- Market leading design SAP 2005 Software
- Dedicated and experienced technical and IT support
- Competitive pricing
- Leading expertise in the SAP market with over 15 years experience
To find out how to join the Scheme, please choose one of the following paths:
Further Information:
Corporate group rates and onsite training available – call for a quotation
Specialist 1-day awareness course available for Building Control Bodies for calculation checking and others that don’t require full training or accreditation – please call to discuss your requirements and a quotation.
Insurance
Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance provides cover for claims brought against the policyholder due to their professional negligence
The Elmhurst Accreditation Scheme for new build production of EPCs will not be including PI insurance within the EPC fee. It is up to the individual Accredited SAP assessor to satisfy the Scheme that they carry enough PI insurance to cover the work they undertake.
After much debate with existing experienced SAP assessors and CLG, we have clarified the situation regarding PI; we recommend that our Accredited SAP assessors have £1m worth of PI cover, however this figure may/or may not be appropriate for every individual, depending on the volume and value of work undertaken.
Clearly, a high volume Accredited SAP assessor who works on multi unit developments will require significantly more cover, than a SAP assessor who only produces a few SAP calculations per year. For example, consider a negligent U-value calculation for a wall for a developer who has consequently built several hundred homes, the costs to rectify the incorrect insulation in all the dwellings would be very considerable, and the developer would also sue for the consequential loss from the delayed sales!
As a minimum, we feel it is necessary for professional persons to have at least £250k worth of PI cover and as part of joining the Accreditation Scheme we will request evidence of your PI insurance, and will monitor this going forward. Please note that you may commence your application process prior to obtaining appropriate levels of PI but this will have to be in place prior to production of any EPCs.
Please be aware that PI insurance is mandatory, and you will need the level that covers all of your professional work and we suggest as a guide taking at least £1m. From experience the cost of increased cover is unlikely to be prohibitive, all though premiums may vary from provider to provider.
We understand that other schemes only require as little as £50k PI insurance, which we believe is wholly inadequate for most practitioners in the new build sector. In the interest of all our scheme members we are advising all SAP assessors to make sure they are covered adequately.
Accreditation Scheme Code of Conduct
All members of the Elmhurst EPC accreditation scheme will be subject to strict codes of conduct and quality assurance monitoring covering the members EPC production and professional conduct relating to all activities within the scope of the scheme. Members found to be in breach of the code or fail to meet the required technical standards will be subject to disciplinary action which can lead to removal from the scheme if the issues in question cannot be resolved.
Download and view the -EES Code of Conduct-
More information;
If you need more information, please ring our
Technical Help line on 08700 850490
Or email accreditation@elmhurstenergy.co.uk