ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBING
& HEATING CONTRACTORS
S
INS EE
FO
R IDE
MO
RE
THE TRADE ASSOCIATION
FOR PROFESSIONAL PLUMBING
& HEATING BUSINESSES
REPRESENTING YOUR INTERESTS • FINDING YOU CUSTOMERS • KEEPING YOU INFORMED • SAVING YOU MONEY
www.aphc.co.uk
The complete business toolkit
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) is a not-for-profit trade body for
plumbing and heating businesses in England and Wales. We’ve been representing sole traders
working in domestic properties to large companies working on commercial projects since 1925,
helping installers run professional and profitable businesses.
We provide plumbing and heating businesses with a source of expert knowledge, professional
advice, support and cost savings. We also distinguish our members from the rogue traders,
demonstrating quality workmanship and professionalism to the consumer.
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) is a not-for-profit trade body
REPRESENTING
INTERESTS
for the plumbingYOUR
and heating
industry in England and Wales. We’ve been representing sole
traders working in domestic properties to large companies working on commercial projects
since 1925, helping contractors run professional and profitable businesses.
We support members behind the scenes, working with
We provide plumbing and heating contractors with a source of expert knowledge,
Government
and other industry bodies to shape legislation,
professional advice, support and cost savings. We also distinguish our members from the
ensuring installers
get demonstrating
a fairer deal.quality
We also
engageand
in lobbying,
rogue traders,
workmanship
professionalism to the consumer.
campaigns that represent the interests of installers.
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) is a not-for-profit trade body
FINDING
YOU
CUSTOMERS
for the
plumbing
and heating industry in England and Wales. We’ve been representing sole
traders working in domestic properties to large companies working on commercial projects
since 1925, helping contractors run professional and profitable businesses.
We work hard to build consumer awareness and recommend
provide plumbing and heating contractors with a source of expert knowledge,
members We
to potential
customers. We list member businesses
professional advice, support and cost savings. We also distinguish our members from the
on the APHC
‘Find an APHC
Installer’
search
engine.
roguewebsite
traders, demonstrating
quality
workmanship
and
professionalism to the consumer.
Members can also use the APHC logos on vehicles and stationery.
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) is a not-for-profit trade body
KEEPING
YOU
INFORMED
for the
plumbing
and heating industry in England and Wales. We’ve been representing sole
traders working in domestic properties to large companies working on commercial projects
since 1925, helping contractors run professional and profitable businesses.
We know it’s important to stay up to date on industry news, so
We provide plumbing and heating contractors with a source of expert knowledge,
we make sure
members have access to the latest information.
professional advice, support and cost savings. We also distinguish our members from the
Members rogue
can access
factsheets, advice
guides, quarterly
member to the consumer.
traders, demonstrating
quality workmanship
and professionalism
magazines, e-Bulletins and the APHC website ‘member zone’.
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) is a not-for-profit trade body
SAVINGforYOU
MONEY
the plumbing
and heating industry in England and Wales. We’ve been representing sole
traders working in domestic properties to large companies working on commercial projects
since 1925, helping contractors run professional and profitable businesses.
We know that every saving counts and offer members a range of
We provide plumbing and heating contractors with a source of expert knowledge,
free and discounted
everyday business services, including technical
professional advice, support and cost savings. We also distinguish our members from the
support, business
anddemonstrating
legal advice,
discounted
insurance,
debt
rogue traders,
quality
workmanship
and professionalism
to the consumer.
collection, fuelcards, vehicle maintenance & MOT’s.
Saving your business money
The wide range of FREE and discounted business support services that APHC offers
members can save considerable time and money. The amount you can save depends on
the size of your business and the number of services you choose to use. This adds up to
outstanding value and you can recoup the cost of your annual membership subscription.
Save £100s every year!
The table below is an example of just some of the services and savings you can make and is
based on a small business. The bigger your company the bigger the savings!
Savings (per annum)
Discounted Services
FREE (unlimited)
Technical and Health & Safety Helpline
FREE (unlimited)
Industrial Relations Helpline
FREE (20 minutes)
Legal Helpline
FREE
Business resources (downloadable)
FREE
Listing on APHC website ‘Find an APHC installer’
FREE
Van stickers and use of the APHC logo’s
FREE
Hot & Cold magazine / regular communications
£80.00
Business Insurance
£160.00
APHC Training Courses
£151.96
Vehicle Breakdown Cover
£19.00
MOT
£36.00
Vehicle Tracking
£115.68
Fuelcard Scheme
£73.00
Credit/Debit Card Processing
£125.00
Debt Collection
£207.12
Tool Hire
£89.25
Website Design
£40.50
Gas Notifications (only £1.75 per notification)
£1,097.51
and more...
Notes:
nBased on the average premium of new PlumbGuard policies arranged during 2012 for APHC members, compared to standard target rates.
nBased upon 1 person taking the APHC Water Regulations and Above Ground Sanitation course within the year.
nBased on AA fleetwide 3 standard rates for 1- 2 vehicles. Saving per vehicle.
nBased upon the current price of a National Tyres and Autocare standard MOT (2012).
nBased upon the ‘purchase tracking service’ option from Vine Telematics. Saving per vehicle.
nBased on a typical APHC member running 1 small diesel van, with a mileage of 30,000 miles per annum from The Fuelcard People. Saving per vehicle.
nAssumes card turnover of £80k per annum, with an average transaction value of £621.47. 90% card not present and 10% face to face transactions from HSBC Merchant Services. Figures are consistent with a typical small plumbing & heating business.
nBased upon a letter before action for the collection of a £1000 debt from Moneyflow.
nBased upon the hire of x4 typical plumbing & heating equipment items from Hire Station per year. Figures are consistent with a typical APHC member profile.
nBased upon purchasing the SiteWizard silver website design package.
nBased upon 45 online gas notifications made during a 12 month period. Figures are consistent with a typical APHC member profile.
Member benefits at a glance...
APHC LICENSED MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU:
FREE technical and industrial
relations helpline
Low cost gas notifications
APHC members have the ability to
notify their gas works online through
the APHC website. Members benefit
from competitive gas notification fees,
at £1.75 per electronic notification.
Membership of Gas Safe Register is
required in order to notify gas.
APHC is fortunate to have in-house
experts working in the technical and
industrial relations departments. These
experts run helplines exclusively for
members, offering free advice.
Anything from a technical enquiry about
a bathroom installation to advice about
an employee dispute matter.
FREE Water Regulations
Approved Contractor Scheme
Discounted legal helpline
APHC Ltd is approved by the
Department of the Environment, Food
& Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as a scheme
operator under the Water Supply (Water
Fittings) Regulations 1999. Members
can join the scheme at no extra cost,
subject to meeting additional operating
requirements. The scheme enables
members to be exempt from certain
water company work notifications and
receive preferential services.
Being faced with a legal dispute can
cost considerable time and money.
Our legal partner, Access Legal
can provide confidential advice on
areas including contractual disputes,
employment issues, motoring offences
and more. APHC Members are entitled
to 20 minutes free legal advice and
discounted services thereafter.
Discounted industry training
Industry pensions scheme
APHC recognise the importance of
training, to renew skills and keep
up-to-date. APHC run training courses
at reduced rates for APHC members
from £150 per person. Members can
also benefit from an exclusive 15%
discount on a range of additional
courses, through other providers.
FREE business resources
APHC members have exclusive
free access to a wide range of
downloadable resource and guidance
materials. These include customer
contracts, commissioning templates,
generic health and safety assessments,
fact sheets, guidance on pay and
conditions for plumbing operatives and
labour charge rates for customers.
APHC members have access to the
industry recognised pension scheme
provided by APHC partner, Plumbing
Pensions. The scheme is cost-effective
and secure, and has been specifically
designed for plumbing & heating
operatives, providing an excellent
means of saving for retirement.
£
Discounted debt collection
We recognise that one of the key
factors regarding profitability of any
business is cash flow. Late payment
remains an issue to plumbing and
heating contractors. Our debt collection
partner, Moneyflow offers members a
discounted debt recovery service,
on a no win, no fee basis.
...continued
Discounted fuel card scheme
Discounted MOT’s & Autocare
APHC have partnered with The Fuelcard
People who offer typical savings of
2p to 3p per litre on national average
pump prices, with fixed weekly pricing.
Many companies use the scheme as
a method of providing easy controlled
payment for their staff to purchase fuel.
National Tyres and Autocare are offering
APHC members a 35% discount off
an MOT at participating branches and
a further 15% discount on tyres and
other autocare products, helping cut the
cost of motoring maintenance.
Competitive trade insurance
PlumbGuard insurance is specifically
designed for plumbing & heating
businesses, offering comprehensive
and competitive cover, including
employer’s and public liability, business
premises, contents, stock and tools.
APHC members are entitled to 10%
discount off the standard rates.
Discounted website design
It’s important for your business to
have a good online presence so
customer can find you. APHC web
partner, SiteWizard specialise in low
cost website design and easy content
management systems. APHC members
get 15% discount off standard prices
and benefit from a dedicated account
manager and a money back guarentee.
Preferential card processing
Having a portable card payment
terminal allows you to take payment at
the customer’s property, ensuring you
get paid. HSBC Merchant Services offer
a range of terminals including portable
and static. Set up is free and APHC
members enjoy preferential card
processing rates and free terminal
rental for new HSBC Merchant Services
customers, for the first three months.
Discounted breakdown cover
APHC members can get discounted
rates saving up to 53% on fleet
breakdown cover from the AA. Options
including Roadside, Home Start, Relay,
Relay Plus and Accident Management,
covering fleets ranging from 1 to 500
vehicles.
Discounted tool hire
APHC members can benefit from up
to 60% off tool hire from Hire Station.
Members can choose from over 2000
products to hire including a substantial
range of plumbing & pumping equipment.
Quality branded workwear
APHC members have exclusive
access to a range of high quality,
great value garments that can
be embroidered with their company
branding and APHC identity. A minimum
order of 6 garments of any colour, size,
type and style makes it accessible for
even the smaller business.
Discounted vehicle tracking
APHC members receive an exclusive
discount on vehicle tracking services
with Vine Telematics. Members can
save 23% on a purchase contract and
save 20% on a rental contract with free
setup, installation and training.
How to apply?
Make sure that your plumbing and heating
business has got access to everyday support
and savings. You can join APHC Licensed
Membership for just £26.67 + VAT per month.
We heavily promote to consumers that all
APHC members are qualified and professional
plumbing and heating businesses. To ensure
we remain true to our word, APHC Licensed
Membership is only open to plumbing & heating
businesses who have appropriate levels of
insurance and ensure that operatives who
undertake plumbing & heating work, have
a minimum level of qualifications or work
experience. For more details on joining:
Call: 0121 711 5030
Email: membershipsales@aphc.co.uk
Visit: www.aphc.co.uk
ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBING
& HEATING CONTRACTORS
Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors
12 The Pavilions • Cranmore Drive • Solihull • West Midlands • B90 4SB
Tel: 0121 711 5030 • Fax: 0121 705 7871 • Email: membershipsales@aphc.co.uk
APHC Licensed Membership is operated by APHC Limited and is only open to plumbing & heating businesses that work to a
minimum trading standard with their customers. The business must have appropriate levels of insurance and ensure that only
competent operatives are employed to undertake plumbing & heating work with a minimum level of qualifications or work experience.
NOTE: Information contained in this leaflet is accurate at the time of printing (Jan 2013). Changes in membership benefits may have
occurred since the time of printing, for the latest information visit www.aphc.co.uk.