Frequently Asked Questions

The list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below should be the first port of call if you have any queries regarding the running of the Scheme.

Scheme Information FAQs

Why has this Scheme been devised?

This Scheme has been introduced in response to the requirements of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.

What is the difference between the new Scheme and self certification?

Only those who are on the register will be able to certify. Those applying to the Scheme will have their levels of experience and qualifications assessed. It is a requirement of the Scheme that a certification log is kept in order to enable checks on certificates being issued to be made. Approved Certifiers and Approved Bodies will also be regularly audited.

Why is the Scheme open to Chartered Engineers only?

The requirement for those signing design certificates for a Building Warrant was included in Regulations introduced in Scotland in 1992. The new Scheme has the same requirement.

How does this Scheme affect me as a non Chartered Engineer?

Non Chartered Engineers are not eligible to join the Scheme. However, they may still make Building Warrant applications to Local Authorities in the traditional way.

Why would a business want to become an Approved Body?

Approved Bodies through using the Scheme will be able to offer their clients a quicker route to obtaining a Building Warrant than using the Standard Local Authority Procedure.

Why would a Chartered Engineer want to become an Approved Certifier?

Approved Certifiers through using the Scheme will be able to offer their clients a quicker route to obtaining a Building Warrant than using the Standard Local Authority Procedure.

Where do I stand if I am a Chartered Engineer with less than 5 years post Chartered experience?

The requirement for engineers signing design certificates for a Building Warrant to have 5 years post Chartered experience was included in Regulations introduced in Scotland in 1992. The new Scheme has the same requirement. The Scheme will consider applications from engineers with less than 5 years post Chartered experience and requires that their application states clearly the relevant skills and experience they possess in order to be considered for membership of the Scheme. Each application will be assessed on individual merit.

Can I certify structural work carried out for other Council departments, this work being the subject of a Building Warrant to the same authority?

Section 4.6.7 of the SER Ltd Scheme Guide states:

'Schedule 2 to the... Building (Scotland)... Act (2003) prohibits a Verifier from certifying any matter for which they act as verifier. The Scheme understands this to mean that a Certifier who is employed by a local authority may only certify work that is verified by a different local authority. This does not inhibit them from designing work that is verified by the local authority that employs them, or from certifying work that is verified by another local authority'

Generating an amendment to warrant for a non staged project

In order to generate an amendment to warrant certificate, you should create a new certificate as if it was the only certificate that exists for the project. Therefore, you should include all elements that remain from the previous certificate, as well as the changes. There is no need to mention that it is an amendment to warrant on the certificate, and you should include the total Project Value including the cost of the changes, rather than merely the cost of the changes.

The only difference from generating a normal certificate is that you should contact SER prior to paying for the certificate, so that we are able to link it to the original certificate. In doing this, not only will the amendment to warrant certificate then clearly state that it is an amendment, but, assuming there is no significant rise in Project Value, you will only be charged the minimum certificate fee of £25 plus VAT.

If there has been an increase in Project Value a top-up fee will be applied to reflect the increase. You can contact SER either via admin@ser-ltd.com or by telephone (020 7201 9116). You should ensure that you have your Approved Certifier SER number as well as the certificate number of the certificate to which it is to be linked, to hand. It is also useful if you are able to provide the project location or reference number. If contacting SER by email, you should not continue with payment for the certificate until you receive confirmation that the certificates have been linked.

Please note that if a certificate is the 2nd amendment to warrant certificate generated for a project, you should provide SER with the certificate number of the first amendment to warrant certificate (i.e. the current valid certificate) rather than that of the original certificate. This is because when an amendment to warrant is made the original certificate becomes invalid and the amended certificate becomes the only valid certificate for that project.

Generating an amendment to warrant certificate for a staged project

To generate an amendment to warrant for a staged project, the process is essentially the same, but you must generate the new certificate as an additional stage to an already existing project. If, for example, there are already three stages, and you wish to create an amendment to warrant to the stage 2, in the circumstances mentioned the new stage will show up as stage 4, as the system automatically assigns the new certificate the next unused stage number.

Therefore you should be sure to enter '2' in the User Stage Number section, as this is the number that appears on the certificate. When you call/email the SER Administrator to link it to the original certificate, the original certificate number you need to quote is the stage that it is replacing, so again using the above example you would provide SER with the original stage 2 certificate number rather than the parent certificate number.

Renewing Approved Body membership

Approved Body membership should be renewed via the Approved Body Admin Area. To access the Approved Body Admin Area, use the same log in screen as is used to access the Approved Certifier Admin Area, but enter your Approved Body Application Number (beginning SER1-DB rather than SER1-D) and Approved Body password. Please note that, as a default, Approved Body renewal reminders are sent to the email address that the Approved Body first registered with, which may not be that of the Certification Coordinator. If you would prefer that all correspondence was sent to the Certification Coordinator (or a different email address) then please inform SER.

Changing of/adding a certification coordinator

This can be done at any time via your Approved Body Admin Area. To access the Approved Body Admin Area, use the same log in screen as is used to access the Approved Certifier Admin Area, but enter your Approved Body Application Number (beginning SER1-DB rather than SER1-D) and Approved Body password. Within the Approved Body Admin Area you will find links entitled 'Amend Certification Co-ordinator Details' and 'Additional Certification Co-ordinator Details'.