What is a competent person scheme?

A competent person scheme (CPS) allows registered installers to self-certify that their work complies with Building Regulations, without needing a separate building control application. Examples include FENSA for windows, Gas Safe for gas, NICEIC for electrics and HETAS for solid fuel. The installer notifies the local authority and issues a certificate directly.

Do I have to use a CPS registered installer?

No, but the alternative is a building control application (costing £200–£500 per job) and inspection. For gas work, Gas Safe registration is a legal requirement — there is no alternative. For other work types, using a CPS installer is faster, often cheaper overall, and provides direct certification.

What happens if I do notifiable work without certification?

Uncertified notifiable work is a Building Regulations offence. It can cause problems when selling the property, as solicitors will identify the lack of certificates. You may need to apply for retrospective building control regularisation (costing more than the original certification) or the buyer may negotiate a price reduction.

How much does CPS registration cost?

Annual registration fees range from £200–£700 depending on the scheme and work type. Gas Safe is approximately £350–£500/year. FENSA is £300–£600/year. NICEIC electrical ranges from £400–£700/year. These fees cover unlimited self-certifications, making them very cost-effective for businesses doing regular work.

Which scheme do I need for electrical work?

For notifiable electrical work (new circuits, consumer unit changes, bathroom/outdoor work), you need registration with an approved Part P scheme: NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or Stroma. Non-notifiable work (like-for-like replacements, adding sockets to existing circuits outside special locations) does not require CPS registration.

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Competent Person Calculator — Scheme Registration Guide

Identify which competent person scheme (FENSA, Gas Safe, NICEIC, HETAS) is required for your work type and compare costs against building control applications.

Work type

Jobs per year

How We Calculate This

This calculator identifies the appropriate competent person scheme for your work type and compares costs.

Scheme identification

Each work type has specific approved CPS providers. The calculator lists all applicable schemes with typical annual registration costs.

Cost comparison

Annual CPS cost is compared with the alternative: building control applications at a per-job fee multiplied by your expected annual job count.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.