Lack of industry interest has led the DETR to alter the membership fee and qualification structure of its anti-cowboy builders scheme to attract members.
The DETR has repackaged its Quality Mark scheme in an attempt to gain more registered members.

Only two companies have registered since the scheme's inception in April 2000, although two pilot schemes are currently being run in Birmingham and Somerset.

The three main changes are:

  • the offer of a £350 discount from the registration fee;
  • removal of upfront payment of warranty premiums;
  • the introduction of partnership agreements with industry trade associations.

Over 900 companies in the pilot areas have been contacted regarding the discounted fees. The cut-off date for applications qualifying for the discount is 16 February 2001.

It has been made easier to 'top-up' existing warranty policies to the required standard for the scheme. Premium payments will not be required until the public launch, and payments can now be made in installments by direct debit.

Working with industry trade associations is "pivotal" to the scheme's success says the DETR. The ECA is working on both pilot schemes and intends to have a minimum of ten members registered in each area by the end of August.

Stuart Burchell of the ECA stated: "The ECA is aligning membership requirements as closely as possible to current Quality Mark criteria with the view to testing them on the pilots. There will be a review period afterwards."

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor