Getting compliance right

Some useful information to help you submit the right documents to BiKBBI.

HMRC

Applicants must submit evidence of their registration with HM Revenue & Customs.

Documents accepted:

• CIS Card; or
• HMRC Official Paperwork; or
• UTR Number on your accountants headed paper; or
• A payslip from an employer

Not accepted:

• Emails from HMRC.

COMPANY REGISTRATION (If LTD / LLP / PLC)

The following categories businesses must provide their certificate of incorporation issued by Companies House:

• Limited (LTD)
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
• Public Limited Company (PLC)

In the event you are a business as defined above, but you do not submit a certificate of incorporation as part of your application, our team will make direct enquiries with Companies House to validate your status.

Sole traders do not need to submit to this criteria.

IDENTIFICATION

Applicants must submit one of the following forms of formal identification.

The document must be valid at the time of application:

• Passport (ID page); or
• Driving Licence (Photocard); or
• National Identity Card (Photocard).

We do not accept:

• Any other form of identification.

PHOTOGRAPH

Applicants must submit a passport quality photograph for each installer proposed for registration.

The photograph must be:

• A clear, unobstructed head shot of passport quality;
• Against a blank background where possible.
• Can be taken on a smartphone or photo booth;
• Must show the full face, straight on;
• Must not include sunglasses or headwear.
• Will be used for your official BiKBBI Licence Card.

CRIMINAL RECORD

In accordance with The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), applicants must submit a Certificate of Basic Disclosure for each installer that is being proposed for registration.

The certificate must be issued by one of three authorities only and is dependent on where you live.

ENGLAND & WALES:
The Disclosure & Barring Service

SCOTLAND:
Disclosure Scotland

NORTHERN IRELAND:
Access NI

NOTE: We are aware of businesses that (legitimately) operate a service whereby they make the application to DBS on the applicants behalf. We also know that this service comes with an administration fee. We recommend that applicants make their application to the above agencies only, removing unnecessary costs and processing delays.

The certificate you send:

• Must include all pages; and
• Must be dated within the last 24 months;
• Must either be a copy of the original certificate OR the official digital certificate.
• Must include your current address as registered with us. If your address with us is different, you will need to provide accompanying evidence of your home address. ie. A utility bill or Driving Licence with your current address included.

Process:

Process times are approximately 2-3 weeks currently. We suggest you make your application to the correct authority at the same time as making your application to us.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Expiry:

Whilst DBS certificates do not have an expiry date, our Terms & Conditions state that certificates must not be older than 2 years and therefore we will request an updated DBS certificate on each 2 year anniversary from the issue date.

We do not accept:

• Screenshots of emails confirming the application;
• Receipts for submissions;
• Applications for the check.
• Certificates issued by other providers.

DBS Online Accounts:

If you subscribe to the DBS Online Account service, you can provide us with single use access to your certification.

We'll need:

• The last 6 digits of your DBS certificate
• The 8 digit share code provided by DBS

We'll then have single use access to check your document online and you will not need to send us the certificate. You will need to provide this information every 2 years.

LIABILITY INSURANCE - PUBLIC & EMPLOYERS

Registered businesses are required to submit documentation relating to Public Liability Insurance.

You will need to submit both the certificate of insurance, as well as the policy document in full.

The document must include the following information:

• Your name or company name
• Your address or company address
• The policy number
• The policy expiry date
• The words ‘public liability’ and
• Indemnity cover no less than £2m
• If more than one installer is registered, Employers Liability must be included with no less than £5m indemnity;
• The business activity relevant to your trade (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom installer).

Exclusions:

The policy must not contain any of the following exclusions - We suggest you review the exclusions prior to submitting the document:

• Heat exclusions (except bedroom only installers);
• Height exclusions must not relate to a restriction on the number of storeys (floors) within properties you operate.

I don't use heat...

In some cases members state that they do not use heat, or that their sub-contractors do the heat work.

As the primary contractor the liability is with you and therefore we cannot accept policies that exclude heat.

This particular point is often a frustration for members, but it is in place to provide protection for you and your customers (not us).

Employers Liability:

If you register more than one installer, you will need Employers Liability cover in addition to Public Liability.

Please note that Employers Liability cover does not relate to whether you employ your installers or sub-contract to them. If you register more than one installer with us, you will need the cover.

Notes:

If in doubt about what you need to send, send everything the insurer issued you(!).

BiKBBI Insurance Services

Applicants can apply for a free, no obligation quote by clicking here.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

All kitchen and bathroom registered businesses must supply credentials in relation to electrical safety.

From July 2022, BiKBBI no longer requires members to send copies of electrical certificates.

Instead, registered businesses must complete an electrical declaration in relation to the contractor(s) used. The electrical declaration is now incorporated within the compliance upload portal, accessed via the BiKBBI app.

We still require electricians to be registered with one of the following regulatory bodies and their registration must be current at the point of submission.

Electrical Registration Body's we accept:

• NICEIC
• NAPIT
• SELECT

The checks we undertake:

When we receive your declaration, we'll cross reference the information you supply with the live databases of the regulatory electrical body. We may also contact the electrician to make them aware that you've nominated them as a sub-contractor.

It is therefore important that you only provide electrical information for those you use and that you make them aware that you've shared their details with us.

GAS SAFETY

All kitchen registered businesses must supply credentials in relation to gas safety.

From July 2022, BiKBBI no longer requires members to send copies of gas cards and certificates.

Instead, registered businesses must complete a gas declaration in relation to the contractor(s) used. The gas declaration is now incorporated within the compliance upload portal, accessed via the BiKBBI app.

We still require engineers to be registered with Gas Safe Register and their registration must be current at the point of submission.

Their credentials must include valid:

• Gas registration
• Natural Gas & Pipework Elements (found on the reverse of their ID card)

The checks we undertake:

When we receive your declaration, we'll cross reference the information you supply with the live Gas Safer Register. We may also contact the engineer to make them aware that you've nominated them as a sub-contractor.

It is therefore important that you only provide gas information for those you use and that you make them aware that you've shared their details with us.

ASBESTOS AWARENESS

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) requires those who carry out refurbishment projects within domestic properties (constructed pre-2000) to have a level of Asbestos Awareness.

Applicants must supply:

A certificate of Asbestos Awareness dated within the last 12 months.

Once the above FULL Asbestos Awareness Certificate has been obtained, BiKBBI members can submit refresher certifcates annually thereafter (see below).

A discounted online Asbestos Awareness Certificate is available to BiKBBI applicants. Visit our partners at Central Compliance UK.

ABRASIVE WHEEL

Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), it is a legal requirement for those involved in the use of abrasive wheels to be properly trained. These regulations have totally replaced the Abrasive Wheels Regulations 1970 for the safe handling, storing, mounting and use of grinding wheels.

Fabricator applicants must supply:

It is requested that the certificate is dated within 24 months. We accept the certificate for 3 years (36 months).
Once the above FULL Certificate has been obtained, BiKBBI members can submit refresher certificates annually thereafter (see below).

Abrasive Wheel Certification is available at Essential Skills