PCC - FAQ's

How do I get a professional consultants' certificate?

Find a qualified professional
- The PCC must be issued by an appropriately qualified and experienced consultant, such as a Chartered Architect, Chartered Building Surveyor, Chartered Building Engineer, or other construction professional.
- They must have suitable professional indemnity insurance in place to meet lender requirements.
Confirm lender requirements
- Check with your mortgage lender (or the buyer’s lender) to ensure a PCC is acceptable in place of a structural warranty, and clarify any specific conditions they require.
Arrange an inspection
- The consultant will need to have monitored the construction process or carry out a detailed inspection.
- For new builds, this often means they are involved from the early stages to completion. For completed projects, they may still be able to inspect retrospectively if they have sufficient evidence of the build quality and compliance.
Provide project documentation
- You’ll usually need to supply plans, building regulation approvals, planning permissions, and any relevant certificates or inspection reports.
- Photographic records of the build can help if the consultant wasn’t involved from the start.
Receive the PCC
- Once the consultant is satisfied the property meets required standards and has been constructed in accordance with approved plans and building regulations, they will issue the PCC.
- This document is then provided to your solicitor or the lender as proof of compliance.

How much is a professional consultants' certificate?

The cost of a Professional Consultants’ Certificate (PCC) in the UK can vary widely based on several factors such as property size, project complexity, location, and whether you're seeking a retrospective certificate.

Typical Price Ranges;

General estimates fall between £1000 and £2500, depending on project specifics.

For a 10-year PCC, you might expect costs around £1800 and £3000, compared to a similar duration structural warranty which could cost anywhere between £2,000 and £5000.

We always strive to offer the most cost-effective market price while maintaining the highest standards of quality in our service.

Can a PCC be issued retrospectively?

Yes, a Professional Consultants’ Certificate (PCC) can be issued retrospectively, but the process is more complex than issuing one during the build. For a retrospective PCC, the consultant must be satisfied that the property was constructed in accordance with approved plans, building regulations, and acceptable industry standards, even though they were not involved throughout the build.

To achieve this, the consultant will need to carry out a thorough inspection of the completed property and review detailed evidence of the construction process. This often includes building control records, compliance certificates, structural calculations, photographs taken at various build stages, and any other documentation that demonstrates the quality and compliance of the work.

Because the consultant is relying on post-construction evidence rather than ongoing supervision, the level of due diligence required is significantly higher. As a result, retrospective PCCs may take longer to process and can be more expensive than those issued during construction.

While it is possible to obtain a PCC in this way, success will depend on the availability and quality of the evidence provided. Without sufficient proof of compliance, the consultant may be unable to issue the certificate, so early engagement and thorough record-keeping are key to ensuring a smooth process.