January 2008 - How to Avoid Bad Debt

It’s in the post, we never received the invoice, we need a second signature, the dog ate the invoice…you’ll be amazed at the lengths people go to when it comes to avoid paying for services you have delivered.

• Terms and Conditions Implement Terms and Conditions that are fully thought through and are enforceable if the need unfortunately arises. Ensure that they deal with dispute resolution, late payment issues and any other problems that can occur that are specific to your business. Ideally you should get these drafted by a solicitor…they are the rock bed of your business so why cut corners on them?

• Know who you are dealing with Open accounts properly before you supply using a comprehensive Credit Account Application Form. Remember to send your Terms and Conditions at the same time as you send the Credit Account Application Form as this will ensure the contract between you and the customer is formed on your terms. If things go wrong how can you take any action if you do not know who to sue?

• Make informed decisions as to whether you should be supplying or not OK so not everybody wants or needs credit reports, particularly for low value transactions. Very often they are out of date and of limited use. When however the value of supply or potential trading is of reasonable or even significant risk to your business then you should at least do some homework.

Consider what a professional lender, such as a bank, makes you do to borrow just £2000 on an unsecured basis from them…and even they have write-offs. What do your customers have to do to get £2000 from you (answer honestly).

How can you avoid write-offs if you do no checking whatsoever? What credit vetting and early warning procedures do you have in place? If your truthful answer is that these are either minimal or non-existent then should you not be doing something to protect your business?

• Put fixed and rigid Credit Management Rules in place – and do not deviate from them It is a very obvious suggestion to put down on paper what you should be doing on a day to day basis, including:

• An account should not be opened on the system until the Credit Account Application Form is returned and a satisfactory credit report is obtained,
• All invoices must be despatched within 48 hours of delivery date,
• Any overdue invoices of 30 days or longer with a value of £1000 to be passed to Tim for action immediately.

Just some examples of setting out what you might want to achieve…but if you do have written rules in place then everyone can follow them and it will cut down your debt problems, and in turn your write-offs.

• Ensure every invoice carries the terms of credit e.g. 30 days strict, and/or the due date of the invoice Ring a customer a couple of days before an invoice is due to check that they have got it, they are happy with it and that payment is going to be more or less on time?

Very few do this, yet it sets the tone in a very subtle way for your future relationship and highlights problems. They might genuinely need a copy (Ok let’s not be too cynical on this one) but would you not rather file a copy before it is due as opposed to three or four weeks after it became due? Quite simply, identifying any and all queries earlier gets them resolved earlier and gets you paid earlier.

• Do not be afraid to ask for your money if it is overdue Customers are customers and we all want to retain them for future orders. Unfortunately we work within a business culture that seemingly has a culture of accepting late payment as part and parcel of dealings.

Is this right? Consider this – if you or I as an individual walk into a supermarket and walk past the checkout without paying then this is regarded as theft. So why when a business walks past the agreed “checkout” of 30 days do we not treat it in the same way?

In summary, it is your money you are rightfully asking for…and do not ever forget it. You only have to ask for it because they are in the wrong by not paying you on time.

• When sums are overdue take immediate action You only want customers who pay you. After all, a sale is not a sale until it is paid for. Naturally, you are happy to work with and help those who have temporary blips in their cash flows.

 f somebody promises you a cheque on an overdue invoice and it does not turn up then the bottom line is that they have very likely lied to you to get you off their telephone. Of course you do not need to be so too emotional in your next approach to them (nor is it recommended to use the “liar” angle) but nevertheless their false promise should put you on guard.

If a cheque promised does not turn up then send your final demand letter without delay…for extra impact you could try an opening paragraph of say “When we spoke last week on Monday 4th October you promised your remittance in the post 1st class that same day. I am therefore disappointed to note that no payment has been received. Regrettably, as you are now seriously overdue our company Credit Control Policy dictates that we must now pass formal and final demand to you for payment.”

Remember, if someone does not like the tone of your letter that your ultimate response is that “you only send letters to overdue customers and not to those who pay in accordance with your agreed terms of supply”.         

• Set a policy and process for dealing with all overdue accounts This might need to be flexible at times. What happens in your company the day an invoice becomes 7 days overdue? 14 days? 21 days?  A month?

If there is no answer to any of these then you should implement a policy without delay. Make it your goal to know the answers to these questions by this day next month!

• Monitor all key accounts regularly “We’ve traded with him for 10 years and he has always paid us” is perhaps one of the biggest write-off mistakes that businesses of all size and standing make.

Familiarity and getting to know your customer over a period of prolonged trading will inevitably build up trust, but nevertheless it is just this type of account becoming insolvent that could also put your own business in jeopardy. If you have traded for 10 years, then when was the last time you took a credit report? Have you got any independent monitoring in place telling you that some other supplier might have a problem?

You cannot have enough early warning “flags” both internally and externally. Just one order not despatched that you were never going to get paid for is potentially capable of paying for your whole year of support costs in this area.

• Instruct a third party without delay if you have any doubts False promises, industry rumours, exceeding of credit limit, unusual trading patterns. All good reasons to put you on your guard but the main point is overdue is exactly that, overdue, plain and simple.

Pursue overdue debtors by a strict policy commencing immediately from the due date of an invoice, ensuring that you follow your own rules, then add an effective third party at the back end and you will undoubtedly get less write-offs. This is not rocket science but merely common sense.

We hope you have found the above pointers informative.

This information has been prepared by Direct Route Insight Limited, providers of the approved Credit Management service for the UK Trades and Allied Trades Confederations members.

November 2007 - Data Protection

The Data Protection Act covers how you should deal with information you store on employees, past employees, potential employees, and customers.

A Code of Practice has been developed, called the Employment Practices Data Protection Code, which sets out best practice in the four areas which could cause you problems.

With regard to those that work for you or apply to work for you, it is the storing of personal information relating to a living person that is covered.  This includes written comments about the person that you may make such as notes during an appraisal or interview.

Employment Records
It is advised that you should have a policy that explains to staff what information you hold about them and what you do with it.  You should only keep data that is relevant and should have a process in place to delete information as required.  All information held must be done so securely and must not be open to all staff to access.

If someone asks for the information you hold on them then you need to be able to provide this within a 40 day period, so it is advisable to have a process in place to do this.

Health Information
Information on people’s health is classed as sensitive information and as such is covered by further regulations.  If you have staff take medicals it is important that questions contained in such medicals are only relevant to the ability to do the job required.

Recruitment
It is advised that any information you ask for on your job application forms is relevant to the recruitment decision.  Do not ask for such as bank details on all application forms as you will only need these if the person is hired.  You need to make sure that you have the potential employee’s permission to check with such as references and qualification providers.

Monitoring
The Code also covers the monitoring of staff by for example CCTV, and what you must do before any monitoring takes place.

A full copy of the Code can be found at www.ico.gov.uk

Changes to the Way HMRC Works and Information You Send to Them

Online Filing
HMRC is promoting the use of their 24 hour online service for the filing of information. Before being able to use the online service, employers need to register with HMRC.  More information can be found by calling 01332 724 410, or at the website www.hmrc.gov.uk/inyear.

Employee Starter and Leaver Information
Not only can you send your Employer Annual Return electronically, you can now also advice HMRC of employee starter and leaver dates.  This will soon be the method of sending all such reports, with companies that have over 50 staff sending them in electronically from April 2007, and those with less than 50 employees having to use this method from 2011.

If you have less than 50 employees and send your 2007-08 Employer Annual Return electronically, you will get £100 tax free. More information at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxfree.

HMRC remind companies that if they send electronically then paper copies must not be sent and likewise if you send paper copies, then electronic copies must not be sent as well.

P45s and P46s
There are changes will be made in April 2008 which employers need to start getting ready for:

All P45s and P46s will need to meet the HMRCs updated quality checks.  This means that companies need to check with their payroll software providers to make sure that these standards will be met.  HMRC will simply send forms back un-actioned if they do not meet the standards.

HMRC recommend that employee’s gender and date of births start being added to P45s and P46s.  This will be a requirement from April 2009.  HMRC say that age discrimination laws do not prevent this from taking place.

When employee’s earnings reach the Lower Earnings Limit, employers will have to send to HMRC a P46 9statement A and B cases).

If a new employee does not give you a P45 (3) or a P46, you will need to fill in section 1 of a P46 and send it to HMRC using code BR.

October 2007 - HSE Warning to Construction Workers

The HSE carried out over 1500 inspections on refurbishment sites, which resulted in enforcement action on 426 occasions, and actually immediately stopped work on 244 of them, where it was felt that there was a real possibility that life could be lost or ruined through serious injury.

Over half of the problems were found where the work included working at height.

Apart from the obvious dangers to employees, members should be aware of the potential financial problems that could be caused to their businesses through possible fines, compensation, and delays to the work in progress.

The HSE is advising that refurbishment work needs to be planned, only competent persons should be used, that the right equipment is used and it is used safely.

More information can be found on the HSE website.

Pensions

Those companies that have set up their own scheme using an insurance company, bank or other provider may themselves be the legal administrator.  If this is the case then there are legal responsibilities  such as making information returns to the Revenue and paying certain charges if they arise.

HMRC has a factsheet to help in this type of situation which can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk/pensionschemes/scheme-administrator-facts.pdf

Doorstep Selling and Cold Calling

There are several regulations that cover door to door selling, which when grouped together have become known as The Doorstep Selling Regulations.  They give the consumer amongst other protection:

• The right to a seven day cooling-off period during which they may cancel an agreement to buy goods or services worth more than £35 from a trader whose visit is unsolicited.
• The same right to a seven day cooling-off period where a visit by a trader follows an unsolicited doorstep or telephone approach.
• Traders who fail to inform consumers in writing of their right to a cooling-off period will be committing a criminal offence.
• Door-to-door sellers must provide a notice setting out cancellation rights when any agreement is made.  Failure to do so makes the agreement unenforceable.  This is the case whether a deposit is paid or not.

The Department For Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has a series of frequently asked questions on this topic which can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38115.html.

Bank and Public Holidays 2008 to 2010

September 2007 - Are you making The Most of Your Free Website?

Did you know that you can print professional letterhead, invoices, and quotes from your web site?  Did you know that you can add photographs of the work you have done and use the site as a brochure, saving you hundreds of pounds in printing and design costs?  Did you know you can change the total appearance of your web site with just a few clicks?

To see how to do this take a look at our demonstration site at www.myinstantwebsite.ukcom.org, or call us on 0870 922 0442.

According to figures released by the House of Lords smaller firms are failing to take advantage of the internet as a trading tool.  To see how the Confederation can help you take advantage by selling goods online call 0870 922 0442 and ask about our Shopping Cart which is available to members for a small monthly fee.

Confusion On New Holiday Laws

These new regulations provide your employees with an increase in the minimum paid holidays they are entitled to.  Confusion has been created as many employers are not sure if they must give employees bank and public holidays.  The law says that employees must be given a minimum number of paid holidays, from 1st October 2007 this figure is 24 days, rising from 1 April 2009 to 28 days, for those working a five day week, but not that employees must be given time off for public and bank holidays.

If an employees contract currently shows a holiday entitlement of over the new minimum, then employers need do nothing.

As always check your employees contracts to make sure that you are complying with the law.  If you need further information phone the free Advice Line.

Non-hazardous Waste Landfill

The Environment Agency has issued a fact sheet to help those who might deal with contaminated land meet the new regulations that come into effect on 30 October 2007.  These new rules mean that all contaminated soils, whether they are hazardous or not will need to be treated before they go to landfill, and that liquid waste will be banned totally from landfill.  To get a copy of the fact sheet go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/landfilldirective or call 08708 506506.

August 2007 - Data Protection

Consumers can now request information held about them by businesses.  This could affect members if you hold details of your customers on either a computer database or in hard copy.

This means that as a company, you may receive enquiries from the public asking about the information you hold on them.  New guidance has been issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which clarifies the difference between an informal and a formal enquiry, and tells you where you can make a charge.

Visit the Information Commissioner’s Office web site at www.ico.gov.net and see the “data protection Good Practice Note”.

Cold Calls

Members are reminded that following action by the Information Commissioner’s Office, you need to take care if you make cold calls to potential customers.

For several years consumers have been able to register their phone numbers with the Telephone Preference Service which prohibits sales calls being made to that number.  Companies operating a telesales operation face large fines if they do make such calls to a registered number.

There are various options for checking numbers before they are phoned.  If you purchase data then talk to your supplier or talk to your telecoms provider who may be able to bar you from making calls to registered numbers.

Staff Recruitment

When you looking to take on new staff it is essential that you take care with the wording of any advert you place in any format.  Potential employees may still be covered by law even before an offer of employment has been made.  Click here for more.

No advertisement or recruitment document issued should include a requirement which relates to the successful applicant’s age, race, sex, disability, religion or Trade Union affiliation.

There are a number of situations where there are exceptions for example where the particular job may require a person of a particular race or sex, or where the recruitment is addressing a numerical imbalance between particular categories of employee within a business.

Potentially in situations where a potential employee believes that they have been discriminated against, there are no upper limits on the amount of awards that can be made by an Employment Tribunal.

For advice and guidance call the UK Trades Legal Advice Line on 01455 251500, and quote reference 70566.

Company Information On Web Sites And Emails

A change to the Companies Act now requires companies to place information on their web sites and emails which previously only had to be on such as letters.  Electronic documents such as websites, emails, letterheads, order forms etc must now show:

• Name of the business, geographic address and email of the business.
• Company registration number and place of registration.
• If the business is VAT registered then this number should be given.
  

Do You Recruit Staff Who Are Non-UK Residents?

If you do recruit non-UK residents it is important that you check the candidate’s passport to confirm their identity and that there are no work restrictions detailed.  If there are restrictions or you are unsure if there are, then check the Home Office web site at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/passports-and-immigration. 

Any eastern European candidates must have a Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) Certificate.  If they do have one they can apply on the above web site.

National Insurance numbers should be verified by NI card, payslip or P60, and if they do not have a National Insurance Number they should be directed to the local job centre who will arrange an interview and explain how they get an NI number.

June 2007 - UKTC Introduce New Member Referral Benefit.

Members are invited to take advantage of FREE wine by referring new members to the Confederation.  A selection of 6 bottles will be provided to the existing member for each new member signed up.  Call 0870 922 0442 to take advantage.

England joins in with No Smoking

Employers face several tasks to stop smoking in their premises under the new legislation.  Failure to comply with the new rules can lead to a £200 fixed penalty or a fine of up to £1000, plus a criminal record if it is unpaid.

A visitor to your premises who is caught smoking would face a £50 fixed penalty or a fine of up to £200.  As an employer, if you have not taken reasonable steps to prevent smoking, you could face a fine of up to £2500.

Which places must be smokefree?

Smokefree Premises
The new smokefree law will apply to virtually all 'enclosed' and 'substantially enclosed' public places and workplaces. This includes both permanent structures and temporary ones such as tents and marquees. This also means that indoor smoking rooms in public places and workplaces will no longer be allowed.

Smokefree Vehicles
The new law will also require vehicles to be smokefree at all times if they are used:

• to transport members of the public
• in the course of paid or voluntary work by more than one person - regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time.

Vehicles that are used primarily for private purposes will not be required to be smokefree.

For UKTC members this is particularly important for your vans.

So what do you need to do?
Employers and managers need to ensure that they:

• Display no smoking signs in premises and vehicles.
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers and visitors are aware that the premises are legally required to be smoke-free.
• Remove any existing indoor smoking rooms.
• Ensure that no one smokes in smokefree premises or vehicles.

Where can I get signage?
There is a website www.smokefreeengland.co.uk from which various types of signage can be downloaded.

What other help can I get?
As a member of the Confederation you can talk to advisors on our Legal Advice Line about what the law actually says.  Call 01455 251500, quoting reference 70566.

Insurance Backed Guarantees

Window installation members are reminded of the importance of giving your customers a copy of your guarantee on completion of the work.  All your self-certified work needs to be advised to your scheme provider and to your IBG provider, dependant on the options you have chosen.  Call us on 0870 922 0442 for further help and advice.

Consumer Credit Complaints

New complaint handling arrangements came into force in April 2007 that apply to all businesses holding a standard consumer credit licence issued by the Office of Fair Trading.  The Financial Ombudsman Service will now handle complaints.

If you have a Consumer Credit Licence, you need to make sure that you handle any complaints in accordance with the law.  If you fail to do so it could affect your eligibility to hold a Consumer Credit Licence.

Details of how the Financial Ombudsman Service works can be found at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

For information on how to get a Consumer Credit Licence call 020 7211 8608 or see the web site www.oft.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/credit-licence.

July 2006 - UKTC “leading edge business technology user”

The UK Trades Confederation (UKTC) has been officially announced as one of the finalists of the UK’s National Business Awards Regional Programme for the South East for best use of technology. The award, sponsored by Orange, is given to organisations that can best demonstrate their effective use of technology.

Through investing in its own domain name, UKTC provides its members with an e-commerce website and email facilities free of charge. This has increased membership of the UKTC and contributed to membership retention. Members have benefited from new business opportunities including the Public Sector marketplace by being able to communicate electronically and having web presence. By giving members email facilities, UKTC can communicate sales leads quickly and more efficiently.

Iain MacDonald MD of the UKTC comments:

“The introduction of this technology is a groundbreaking resource, which to UKTC’s knowledge is not offered anywhere else through a trade association. Therefore, we are delighted to be recognised for our use of technology by the UK’s most established business award programme that commemorates UK success and enterprise.”

Philip Forrest ACII FCIM CM, Chairman of Judges for The National Business Awards comments:

“The finalists in this category were of the highest standard and wonderfully successful organisations. We used a detailed marking system that provided such scoring sensitivity that we were confronted with a very, very close decision. I congratulate UKTC on being acknowledged as a leading edge business technology user.”

The UKTC has taken into account its members’ technological barriers, limited resources and time restrictions by producing a website template aided by a wizard tool. Members who have even the most basic of computer skills can update their website and utilise the Virtual Secretary section for pre-formatted letter-headed stationery.

June 2006 – Buy With Confidence

The UK Trades Confederation (UKTC) has formed a partnership with Brighton & Hove Trading Standards department to promote a new scheme, ‘Buy With Confidence,’ which registers reliable and ethical traders in the area. The partnership was officially launched at the Trading Standards Institute exhibition at Excel London on 20th June.

UKTC, one of the UK’s leading trade associations, will be responsible for contacting and recruiting local businesses in the Brighton & Hove area. Applicants to the scheme will then undergo a company audit by Trading Standards who will complete the registration. As part of the partnership agreement, UKTC will pay the membership fee of successful applicants to the scheme, making it free for local businesses to join.


November 2004 : Part ‘P’ Update

As we reported in September, changes to the Part ‘P’ Building Regulations have been extended to include minor works and defined works. Kitchen and bathroom specialists along with building companies will need to ensure that they have a “Competent Person” as defined by the regulations to certify their work. Otherwise, all electrical changes will have to be notified to local Building Control.

September 2004: Part ‘P’

UKTC joins forces with Elecsa to provide electricians with “The Simple Solution” to comply with changes in the Building Regulations, known as Part ‘P’. (Affects England & Wales).

From January 1st, electricians will have to certify their work as part of a government authorised competence scheme. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the number of house fires caused by shoddy wiring. The scope of the scheme will soon extend beyond electricians to encompass everyone who touches domestic house wiring, such has kitchen fitters and general builders.

July 2004: Spanish Properties

A great business opportunity for members has been launched. As part of the members ‘free’ sites, a unique property concept has been provided for people looking for a holiday home in the sun. It is particularly good for people who want to own a property and have the benefit of bricks and mortar, but who can not afford the escalating prices on the Costa del Sol. People can buy a quarter share of a property and their names go on the title deeds along with the other part-owners. 13 set ‘weeks’ (which rotate between the owners each year) are then allocated to them. Commission is paid by the management company to members as a result of people signing up as a result of clicking through from the members site banner advert.

March 2004: Prompt Payer

UKTC announces their association with Prompt Payer and pledges support for their business ethics, and recommends their members to join the community.

The Prompt Payer Partnership is an organisation promoting prompt payment. Prompt Payers (PPs) are part of an exclusive club that are able to prove that trustworthiness and honesty is an integral part of the service they offer.

Members that sign up to the scheme choose a day rating according to the length of time it takes them to pay their bills, up to a maximum of 45 days. Once allocated they are then able to display their rating as a logo on all their stationery.

This opportunity to display creditworthiness and integrity is the ultimate way to enhance the credibility of a company to potential customers.

February 2004: Online Business Cards (OBC)

The ultimate in e-technology becomes available to members. UKTC have enlisted the services of OBC to deliver the highest spec business card to its members.

The online card is interactive and can convey more information than any brochure, and therefore will display to potential customers your services or products in the best possible way. Cards can have online tours, photo galleries and almost anything you can imagine. Because the card is online in real time it is very flexible and therefore changes can be uploaded immediately.

Jan 2004: JCT Contracts Online....

The UKTC gives consumers the ability to buy JCT contracts online. Trading Standards receive more than 100,000 complaints per year from disgruntled homeowners complaining about rogue tradesmen, therefore, it is important that a written contract exists between a builder and customer to protect both parties in the event that a dispute should arise.

For several years UKTC has given its members the ability to provide a legal and binding works contract. Now members of the public can avail themselves of this service also. Although the UKTC offers a number of options, the JCT is the preferred form of contract as it is the architects choice.

October 2003: Computer Rentals & Leasing

To enable members access to the most up-to-date computer technology at affordable rates UKTC have secured fantastic Lease Purchase agreement rates.
From as little as 19.99 per month top-spec systems can be installed, allowing even the smallest business to take advantage of new technology and all the fringe benefits that can bring to a company.

July 2003: Trading Standards Approved Scheme....

Approved Scheme In July 2003, Bedfordshire County Council joined forces with UKTC, who will be recruiting members in partnership with the council. Rogue traders actively target the vulnerable. But one county has decided to fight back! BCC launched the Trading Standards Approved scheme in November 2002, and included in their vetting criteria is a criminal record check.

The ability to display Trading Standards Approved on company literature and advertising will give a company a superb marketing edge over its competitors. And at the same time, help provide consumers with the knowledge that they are dealing with a reputable firm.

June 2003: Professional Builder Magazine

An article featuring the Quality Mark Scheme was delivered by UKTC to highlight our support of the scheme and our belief that it will enhance our own endeavour to clean up the trades industry.

March 2003: Loyalty Card

Members are able to offer a finance loyalty card and a 0% payment facility to customers.

The scheme has been set up to enhance the ability for a member to win business at point-of-sale, and to maximise repeat business. The scheme enables smaller organisations to complete with multi-national outlets offering similar facilities.

January 2003: Free Website Design

The UK Trades Confederation offers all members the design of a multi-paged, fully interactive company website totally free of charge. The site design includes a free domain name, email functionality, a finance facility and locator map.

Of most interest to our trades members is the portfolio section. It allows pictures and text to be uploaded to highlight the quality of service a company offers. This section has proven to give a reflection of companys professionalism and their wish to display that to potential customers.

Using a secure area of the site, the system is fully self-editing and simple to use. Members are given access to an innovative on-line secretary, that enables the printing of company stationery, including letterheads, invoices and quotes. Every document created will be filed for future reference in the online office.

April 2002 : Home Hotline

The UK Trades Confederation brings its members the opportunity to service domestic repair scheme members.

Homeserve services over 2 million consumer members nation-wide. They have over 60 business partners that provide a service to those consumers. An affiliation with the UK Trades Confederation means they will now use the UKTC membership list to assist them in recruiting contractors, who meet their eligibility criteria.

March 2002: Construction National Magazine

A second editorial feature is aimed at the tradesman to highlight the beneficial impact the UKTC package can offer. The feature was particularly concerned with the easyquote website and the JCT contract.

Both have been designed to help reduce problems that can happen in the construction industry, by providing access to a reputable body of tradesman, and by introducing an affordable, simple-to-use contract to protect both parties in the unfortunate event that a dispute should occur.

February 2002: FENSA Registration for Double Glazing Installers

UKTC members are offered a simple route into FENSA registration and can save the 200-vetting fee. They are also offered a highly cost-effective pay as you go system for insurance backed guarantees (IBG).

From 1st April 2002 changes to Building Regulations to cover replacement window and door installations take place. All installers and buyers of replacement windows and doors will be expected to comply with improved energy efficiency requirements, and to certify their work as being fitted to standard. They can do this using Local Authority Building Inspectors or the FENSA scheme. If they register with FENSA they are required to have offered an IBG to the homeowner as well as a consumer contract.

By joining FENSA, companies can self-certify their installations and can therefore avoid the costs and potential delays of Building Control procedures. A small sample of their installations will be inspected by FENSA-appointed inspectors to ensure standards are being maintained. FENSA will also inform local authorities of all completed FENSA installations, and issue certificates to householders confirming that the installer self certifies compliance.

April 2001: Construction National Article

A six-page editorial feature has been produced on The UK Trades Confederation. The article followed the theme More Business, Better Business, describing how UKTC benefits helped its members compete and trade within the construction industry.

January 2001: Free Business Consultancy

The UK Trades Confederation gives every member access to a full online Business Consultancy Package.

The service covers Employment, Health & Safety, Legal and Tax & VAT matters. There is also a document library to ensure that the business is compliant to current legislation. (This service is provided in addition to our telephone help-line, where relevant experts are available to assist with specific issues if required).
Ensuring a Company is compliant to all the constantly changing laws can be onerous, so this aspect to UKTC membership is simply invaluable.