News

Are you about to commence construction, or have you recently built or converted a residential property? Perhaps you are struggling to sell or mortgage because your property is not certified for mortgage purposes? A Professional Consultants Certificate might be your perfect solution.

But what is this certificate and how does it work? At PC Certificates, we have created a guide to our most commonly asked questions.

What is a Professional Consultants Certificate?

A PC Certificate is a legal document issued by a chartered architect or surveyor that inspects and confirms the quality of your building’s structure for 6 years from completion. During this inspection, they will look at the following:

• foundations
• drainage
• damp resistance
• first-floor construction
• roof structure
• completion

Once issued, this document can then be used for financial applications if a buy-to-let or remortgage is required. 

Our certificates comply with the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders Handbook guidelines and are accepted by the majority of mortgage lenders. Find out more about how our certificates work.

What Do I Need to Know Before Applying for a PCC?

Before applying for your Professional Consultants Certificate, you need to ensure that your property was built or converted under a building standards indemnity scheme acceptable to mortgage lenders. Mortgage Lenders will generally only lend on a newly built or newly converted property where the property is covered by a warranty scheme or UK Finance Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC).

How Much Does a Professional Consultants Certificate Cost?

The price of a Professional Consultants Certificate can vary based on the size and facilities of the property, whether there is more than one building on the property, or if there are multiple dwellings in one building (e.g. a block of flats).

Because of this, we provide a free all-inclusive quote using our online form. “All-inclusive” means there are no extras. Your quote includes vat, all disbursements and costs, all the necessary pre-visit checks, site visits, and post-visit administrative work in respect of certifying the property.

It also includes 24/7 access to your dedicated case management system online and access to our support team over the phone.

What is the Difference Between a PC Certificate and New Build Warranty?

A new build warranty is an insurance-backed policy that protects you from costs in the unlikely event that your property is physically damaged. Unlike a New Home Warranty, the PC Certificate is not a warranty – instead, it’s a certificate that holds a statement from the relevant expert that the property in question has been constructed in accordance with applicable building regulations.

The primary advantage of a Professional Consultants Certification is how cost-effective it is, often saving as much as 50% in fees when compared to a new build warranty. This makes it the perfect option for developers looking for a fast and hassle-free solution when selling their property. Find out more about the differences between a new build warranty and a Professional Consultants Certification in our previous blog post ‘PCC Vs New Build Warranty: Which Is Better?’.

Trust PC Certificates For Help With the Process

If you’re looking for help or guidance with understanding what a Professional Consultants Certificate is and can do for you, we can help. Get in touch with us today to get a quote and begin the process of applying. 

Our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, you can read our FAQs here. Make sure to keep an eye on our blog for regular updates and advice from the industry.