FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW WILL CONVERGENCE AFFECT NEW AND EXISTING PROJECTS?
Frequently Asked Questions
Convergence to SOCOTEC Building Control, Shore and Quadrant Building Control, is almost upon us and we recognise that this can result in some uncertainty around how your existing projects will be affected, as well as any new projects that you would like to appoint us on in the next few months.
Below you will find a collection of questions and answers that we hope will help ease any concerns, as you journey with us to the next chapter. Should you still have questions, please reach out to one of the team and we will do our best to assist
Quoted before 1 Jan 25, but appointed after 1 Jan 25, project carried out by SOCOTEC Building
SOCOTEC Clients:
› We normally get fee quotes from Quadrant, Shore and SOCOTEC, what happens going forwards?
You can still approach your existing contacts but we will only issue a quote from the converged company.
› Does this provide better coverage for SOCOTEC Building Control?
We will continue to provide our services to the areas covered by all 3 businesses and where possible utilise the wider company for efficiencies when carrying out inspections.
› Will we be concentrating on domestic local work going forwards?
We will continue to service all sectors of the
industry and do not plan to specialise or concentrate in any one sector.
› If I have a quote from SOCOTEC, Shore and Quadrant, can I still appoint either to act as Building Control?
Any existing fee quote will remain valid for the validity period noted on the quote. Any quote from either company accepted after 1 January will be deemed as an appointment of SOCOTEC Building Control.
› Will the site inspection allocation be controlled centrally or how will this be managed?
We are looking to continue to build the collaborative approach and encourage
Quadrant and Shore officially transition to SOCOTEC Building Control in January 2025
Jan 2025
Quoted and appointed after 1 Jan 25, project carried out by SOCOTEC Building Control
Control.
Quoted and appointed before 1 Jan 25, project carried out by Quadrant / Shore
communication between the businesses with local offices agreeing inspections with the managing office via phone and email communication.
Shore and Quadrant clients:
› What will happen with my application if accepted after the 1 January 2025?
Any application submitted after 1 January 2025 will be registered as a SOCOTEC Building Control project irrespective of who has provided the quotation.
› What happens with my existing application with Shore/Quadrant?
These projects will continue with Shore/ Quadrant until either the project is completed or we reach a point where a decision is made to combine our licences, full communication will be provided in advance.
› Will the same Registered Building Inspector and support team still be involved?
Yes, the same Building Inspector and Team will be involved with the project.
› Will my project change offices?
No, your project will remain with the office that you originally instructed.
› Will my Initial Notice need to change over to SOCOTEC?
No we are not currently intending to transfer any live projects over to SOCOTEC.
› Will this have any financial impact to me? No, there will be no financial impact to you.
› Will branding change for Shore/Quadrant? Changes have already started across Shore and Quadrant communications and branding, but from 1 January, all businesses will use the SOCOTEC Building Control brand.
› Will the service I receive still remain the same following convergence? Our high standards of service will remain following the convergence.
› Will information I receive for existing projects still be branded as Shore/ Quadrant?
Yes, existing projects instructed before 1 January 2025 will remain under the Shore/ Quadrant Licence, however, emails may come from a SOCOTEC account.
› If works haven’t commenced on-site, will new Initial Notices be served in SOCOTEC’s name?
No, we will continue with the Notice as originally issued unless we are instructed otherwise by the Client.
› Will Initial Notices served by Shore/ Quadrant stay current until completion and a final certificate is issued?
Yes, these projects will continue with Shore/ Quadrant until either the project is completed or we reach a point where a decision is made to combine our licences, full communication will be provided in advance.
› Are we going to align fees to ensure consistency across all 3 businesses? We will be looking to ensure consistency from 1 January across the business taking into consideration local markets and existing frameworks. Quadrant and Shore officially transition to SOCOTEC Building Control in January 2025
› Will Shore/Quadrant email addresses change to SOCOTEC from the 1 January 2025?
Yes, all email communication will come from a SOCOTEC address.
How will communication be handled during the transition period?
› Will there be any delays in processing applications due to the convergence?
No, there will be no delays in service during the convergence process.
› Will there be changes to the terms and conditions of my contract?
No, the terms and conditions will remain as those at the point of instruction.
› How will the transition impact compliance with current Building Regulations? Will there be any changes?
No, the responsibility for confirming compliance with Building Regulations remains with the Dutyholder.
› Will there be any differences in how site inspections are conducted postconvergence? No these will be carried out in the same way.
› Will I need to take any action regarding my ongoing projects or applications? No action will need to be taken by you.
› Will there be any changes in how invoices are issued or payments are made?
No, any invoices raised for Shore/Quadrant or SOCOTEC will be issued in the normal way and any payments should be made as directed on the invoice received.
› How will Shore/Quadrant’s integration with SOCOTEC impact your service coverage across the UK?
This will have no impact on our service and this convergence will allow us to cover a wide geographical area.
› What should I do if I have concerns about how the convergence affects my project? In the first instance contact the project manager or complete this form
› Can I choose to continue under the Shore/ Quadrant name for my project, or will everything transition to SOCOTEC?
New instructions in 2025 will continue under SOCOTEC and there will be no option to use Shore/Quadrant.
› What happens if my project is an HRB? We will retain three licences for a period of time to enable us to conclude any projects that are registered as an HRB and have had a sufficiently progressed notice issued. We are not able to transfer these projects from one licence to another.
Quadrant and Shore officially transition to SOCOTEC Building Control in January 2025