What is the PCA and why use one of their approved members?

The Property Care Association (PCA) represent property specialists who can be trusted to resolve problems affecting your building.

The PCA has been around for nearly 90 years and was previously known as the British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association.  To be recognised as a PCA member, “it is not as easy as just filling in a form and paying a subscription as with other industries, all membership applications are taken very seriously and members must attend industry events and training, whilst being regularly vetted and inspected”.

Why use a PCA member?

We all know how difficult it is to select the right tradesperson when you may not have any experience with the issues you are trying to resolve – let alone knowledge of the company you are asking to put the problem right.  The PCA can therefore be considered a trusted body to take the unknown out of using a new company, essentially all the hard work in vetting a company has been done for you.  The PCA even state “we get a much closer look at their business than a customer ever could”.

To ensure members have the right skills, the PCA provide robust professional training to members surveyors and technicians.  Training is backed with qualifications in structural waterproofing, damp and timber and invasive weed control, which are thoroughly tested by written, visual identification and oral examinations to ensure the expected standards are met.

You can therefore have confidence that Advanced Preservations have the right skills and qualifications for the job.  Confidence that the company has been thoroughly checked by experts. Confidence that the work will be completed to a high standard. Confidence that we are part of an organisation which can offer you additional support and advice should you require it.  And finally, confidence that we can offer you additional insurances for even more peace of mind.  Ultimately, you are in safe hands!

In fact the PCA have both awarded Advanced Preservations at industry events and added:

“From its headquarters in Ash Vale, on the Surrey and Hampshire border, Advanced Preservations operates across a substantial area of the South East, including much of London, Sussex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, as well as Surrey and Hampshire.  Peter Reay, the director, has been involved in the industry for more than 35 years. Advanced Preservations has built a growing reputation for its focus in continual improvement, honest and accurate advice, and personal service.  It has also carved out a niche as experts in basement waterproofing and conversions in some of the highest end properties across London and the South.”

Selecting a PCA member comes with the following assurances and benefits:

• The company has to have been trading for a minimum 2 years with 2 years trading accounts which have been checked by a company accountant.
• We are required to have or to gain a comprehensive industry recognised qualification.
• We are regularly audited to ensure the exceptionally high standards of the PCA are maintained.
• We are required to adhere to a formal Code of Conduct, a strict Code of Ethics and minimum Performance Standards.
• We are expected to co-operate with the PCA in the unlikely event of any problems or complaints

As recognised and multi award winning PCA Members, Advanced Preservations are able to offer:

• Insurance backed guarantees, some of which are only available through a PCA member.
• License under the Government’s TrustMark Scheme, as the PCA are a TrustMark Scheme Operator.
• The PCA deposit protection scheme for damp proofing, timber preservation, structural waterproofing and structural repair works – The PCA Promise.

The PCA Promise?

The PCA Promise is a warranty which covers timber treatment and damp-proofing works, as well as structural waterproofing, and remedial wall ties. It covers contracts placed with PCA members for damp proofing, timber preservation, structural waterproofing and structural maintenance.  The PCA promise is for domestic premises where the contract price (including VAT) is more than £250 and up to £50,000. There is no additional cost to customers for the guarantee, which ensures that should any contractor member of the PCA go out of business while work is being done, then
another PCA contractor will complete the work to the original specification at no extra cost to the customer. More details are available on the PCA website: www.property-care.org

Should you wish to talk through any of the above, please feel free to contact us via email, on 01252 333 310 or pop in to our newly converted head office.