Why Do I Need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate?

Formerly known as an Architect’s Certificate, a Professional Consultant’s Certificate – or PCC – is described by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) as an affordable alternative to a structural warranty (e.g. an NHBC build mark).

It’s a single-page document signed by a professional construction consultant (such as an architect), confirming that he/she has visited the site at different stages of the build and that the property has been generally constructed to a satisfactory standard. Read more here.

How much does a PCC cost?

Costing around £2,500, PCCs are cheaper than warranties and last six years from completion.

Why do I need one?

Banks etc, will generally only lend on a newly-built property where a warranty scheme covers it. The most well-known is probably an NHBC warranty, but these are relatively expensive and not generally used by smaller building companies and self-builders who favour PCCs. Laurence Associates’ Design Director, Jason Pledger, explains: “You’ll need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate if you’ve built a property you wish to sell and the buyer needs a mortgage, or if you wish to rent it out and need to raise a buy-to-let mortgage to release equity.

“If you rely on stage payments during the build, you’ll need interim certificates.”

By signing the certificate, the consultant confirms that he’s designed and/or monitored the construction of the property and will remain liable to the owner and any lenders for six years from completion. The consultant could be liable if something goes wrong, which was evident at the inspection but not picked up. For this reason, architects rarely issue retrospective PCCs on buildings with which they haven’t been involved.

What does the professional consultant certificate cover?

A Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC) is a formal certificate that verifies the satisfactory completion of a construction project. It is reviewed and signed by a qualified architect or surveyor and confirms that the construction work adheres to all relevant planning permissions, building regulations, and other related contracts.

Who can issue a PCC?

A Professional Consultant’s Certificate can only be issued by a consultant (e.g. an architect) with the appropriate qualifications listed in the CML handbook.

Call 01872 225 259 or get in touch via our contact page for advice or a PCC fee proposal.

All posts

Current Vacancies – Senior Landscape Architect

Waterside Lookout

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Design Director

Grand Designs

Rural Enterprise – Helping Rural Business Flourish

Appeal Success – Removing Occupancy Condition

Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 – March

How to Finance a Self-Build

Natural Light

Graphisoft UK Awards 2024 – Small Project Of The Year: Under £5 Million

Architecture Vogue – Enys Hill

Building for Growth

What does the new Part O of the Building Regulations mean for a new home?

New premises & 30 Years in the business

The Experts

Eco development on the sand dunes at Hayle

3D Modelling an image speaks a thousand words

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Planning Director

Should I use an Architect?

Best of Houzz 2017 Design Award

Cornwall Council Housing Requirement – Laurence Associates

Building for Growth

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2024

Restronguet Point – a room with a view

Seaside Sensation

Current Vacancies – Senior Planner

How to Find a Building Plot

Celebrating 17 Years of Dedication: James Vivian, Associate Chartered Architectural Technologist

Cornwall Council ‘Call For Sites’

Why Involve Landscape Architects in Biodiversity Net Gain Proposals

Current Vacancies – Planner / Senior Planner

Securing Planning Permission – Greenbank Hotel Falmouth

Architecture Vogue – Eyebrid

Why Do I Need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate?

Why Do a Self Build?

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy?