Frequently asked questions
The following are commonly asked questions relating to PIJ.
Q. For a site manager to be in contention what is the minimum number of properties?
A. The rules of the competition state:
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The builder must be registered with NHBC; this means Applicant or Solo builders are excluded.
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The site must have properties registered so in the case of a conversion scheme if our offer of conditions has not been accepted with plots registered then these site managers are excluded.
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The site has to have at least three or more units under construction within the PIJ year. These need not necessarily be under construction at the same time.
Q. How was a minimum figure of three arrived at?
A. Three is considered a reasonable and manageable figure as a minimum, it does allow to some degree, consideration of a site manager working under pressure. If there was no minimum set, think of the extra thousands of one off or two-property sites, which would have to be considered.
Q. If a site is with NHBC for building control only, can the site manager still be considered for an award?
A. The site manager cannot be considered for an award.
Q. What if the site starts and is completed within the PIJ year but before the building inspector submission date?
A. Each month on the '10 Best' report the building inspector will indicate the site completion date. At team briefs, PIJ and specifically early/late nominations are discussed.
Q. What if a site is due to be completed before the end of the calendar year, and has been identified by the building inspector as being a contender?
A. We will follow the early nomination procedure. The site standards and site manager are monitored continuously, so that any changes affecting the nomination are recognised and fed back to the inspection manager.
Q. What if the site manager finishes one site and starts another with the same builder company, but in a different building inspector's or even inspection team area?
A. The original site will have been considered as an early nomination. The site manager can only be considered for one award each year. If on the new site the site manager earns a Seal of Excellence Award whilst on the original site he/she only achieved a Quality Award, then the SoE Award on the new site would take priority. In the unlikely event of him/her being recognised for two SoE Awards, then the site, which he/she was on longest during the PIJ year, would be the named site.
Q. What if a site manager leaves a company and he/she is likely to win an award?
A. When the situation occurs prior to inspection staff submitting recommendations to regional directors, i.e. up to the end of April, no further consideration for an award will be given. The monthly '10 Best' report should indicate the site manager has left the company. When it occurs after the end of April the regional director will decide if the award can be made or otherwise discounted.
Q. What if the site manager earns promotion within his company and he has been considered for an award?
A. This should be treated as an early nomination. If the inspection manager considers he/she has a potential Seal of Excellence winner then he/she will ask the appropriate regional co-ordinator and regional director to assess the site at their earliest convenience.
Q. How will a building inspector define the builder category i.e. small to medium, large or multistorey that the site manager is competing in?
A. The builder category relates to the number of units registered in the previous year.
