The Scottish construction industry is currently bracing itself for a new set of Building Standards and operating procedures,which came into force on 1 May 2005.
The changes place additional responsibilities on contractors who apply for building warrants and could have a knock-on effect for clients who use contractors without the professional competence to undertake the works and certify that works have been completed in accordance with the Building(Scotland)Regulations 2004.
There is concern amongst contractors about the professional demands being made upon them,but for the bona-fide contractor the new standards bring with them the opportunity to raise the professionalism within the industry.Scottish Building,the principal Employers Federation for the construction industry in Scotland, constantly attempts to support their members in raising the level of professionalism within the industry and eliminate the problems caused to the whole industry by the white van man,who seeks to cut standards and increase the cost of repairs and alterations.
Where works require a building warrant,submitted after 1 May 2005, there is a requirement for a relevant person to submit a completion certificate.The relevant person could be the builder or,if they fail to do so,the fall back person is the property owner.
This is the area where difficulties can arise.It is the responsibility of the relevant person to build correctly,or to ensure the building works are carried out correctly.Previous regulations put responsibility on local authority Building Control departments to examine the works and satisfy themselves all was in order.
While this change places the responsibility back on the contractor or the building owner,it is hoped that the procedures and regulations will raise the professionalism in the industry,and so raise the status of building contractors.
