Notify REAL?

[Bickstoke]

Hey,

Just joined up after having my MCS assessment this weekend (which went well!) and have one or two questions I could do with some help with!

I use paperclip software for my MCS (which I have to say is very good), but have noticed that for each job, one of the tasks which I have to complete is to 'Notify REAL of install'.

Is this the case that for every install I do, I have to notify REAL assurance?... And if so, how do I go about doing that?!

Thanks guys!

(I am going to make another topic with a few MCS assessment tips which I have picked up along the way to help any others going through it at the moment)

 

[dansk]

Hi and Welcome,

Well done on the MCS front - notify REAL will most likley mean notification of the insurance deposit and customer warranty on each job. Insurance - Members - REAL Assurance Scheme

 

[Bickstoke]

Thanks very much Dansk!

So, just to make sure that I understand this correctly, is it an obligation to do this? To join QANW and notify them of the contracts, and subsequently of the installation completion?

 

[dansk]

Yes - read the consumer code it states it in there ;-)

edit: it is a requirement, and you dont have to use QANW, but you will need to provide proof off the company you are using.

 

[Bickstoke]

ha. I have read the code, but it was a couple of months ago and my brain melted by the end.

I will get this set up! Appreciate the help.

 

[whinmoor]

If you take deposits, you are supposed to ringfence them in a dedicated bank account. This is designed to protect the customer in case the installer goes bust. This is in addition to what Dansk states above.

 

[babba]

Stupid question time why did you go through with MCS etc when the market place is the way it is...

 

[grandfortune]

Do you have to notify them, ive taken deposits and had a customer pay for materials, never notify'd them?. ive try'd on many occasions to set-up a client account but both HSBC and Lloyds say they will not do it its not what it is designed for, i must admt ive given up on it.

 

[dansk]

Its not so much as notifying them par say - rather logging the deposit with QNAW or whoever (but QNAW is part of your membership) and you have an obligation to provide a workmanship warranty as standard. The installation has to have an insurance policy - not with QNAW, although they do a policy, but with a provider and proof who the provider is if they ask.

edit: http://www.realassurance.org.uk/pdf/consumer-code.pdf page 17 for the insurance and 6.3 for the account.

 

[finchy]

Then you will have the pleasure of a REAL audit like I have in 2 weeks !

 

[dansk]

Been there done that! in my first month of joining! its nothing to bother about.

 

[pwboston]

If you dont take a deposit AND as with the NICEIC your workmanship is warrantied under their scheme for 6 years anyway (By the NICEIC insurance), that would cover both angles for not informing them would it not?