BuildDesk Software and Energy Assessor Accreditation Schemes
This page sets out general principles for the use of BuildDesk software with Energy Assessor Accreditation Schemes.
BuildDesk software products and support
BuildDesk Limited will be responsible for the sale of Approved software products, namely BuildDesk Energy Design for On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors and BuildDesk Carbon Checker for Commercial Energy Assessors. BuildDesk software is available on an annual licence fee basis. Pricing information is available on our website. Software support will be provided directly by BuildDesk to its customers. Trial licenses are available for candidates undergoing training.
Evidence of Accreditation
BuildDesk will only issue licence codes to activate our software in EPC lodgement mode once entitlement to lodge EPCs has been established and confirmed with the Accreditation scheme. This will include confirmation of the Energy Assessor number and confirmation of the qualification route i.e. whether APEL or NVQ. For BuildDesk Carbon Checker, additional measures to ensure competence will usually be needed before the software will be activated (see below).
Carbon Checker Software Training
All NVQ & APEL candidates will need to attend a BuildDesk one-day Carbon Checker conversion course. The training ensures understanding of the software. Existing Commercial Energy Assessors currently lodging with iSBEM will also need to attend this training or provide evidence of attendance at a previous BuildDesk Carbon Checker training course. Carbon Checker training not provided directly by BuildDesk staff will not normally be acceptable.
Carbon Checker Software Competency Examination
In addition to software competency training, APEL candidates who do not previously passed a formal iSBEM examination will be required to attend and pass a formal BuildDesk Carbon Checker competence examination. Further details are available from BuildDesk.
Lodgement Fees
In addition to annual software licence fees, BuildDesk Limited will charge a fee for each successful EPC lodgement with the Government’s Landmark database in England and Wales. These fees are raised and collected directly by BuildDesk Limited and are in addition to any fees levied by the Accreditation scheme. Accreditation schemes accepting lodgements with Carbon Checker will be required to confirm the number of successful lodgements and assessor details in a timely manner each month to allow invoicing.
Credit control
The Accreditation scheme will also be expected to collaborate with our accounts department and exchange information on overdue payments to avoid potential bad debts.
Software approvals and new releases
BuildDesk will endeavour to release Government approved software products in a timely manner and will work together with Accreditation schemes to ensure the successful lodgement of EPCs. BuildDesk will work with the Schemes to ensure that any changes to our software are communicated appropriately to end users.
Monitoring of Energy Assessors
Accreditation schemes are required to monitor a percentage of submitted EPC lodgements. BuildDesk can provide this facility for Carbon Checker users but if the Accreditation Scheme procures or provides this service from other parties, we expect the assessor to have attended our one-day conversion course and hold a valid Carbon Checker software licence. The Accreditation scheme should provide us with details of the scheme's monitoring procedures and details of the Assessors undertaking the monitoring. In this way we can assist should queries arise. We welcome feedback to enable us to continually improve our products and/or training.
BuildDesk Ltd
April 2009
