How to save money with a PQS accreditation
Following recent client feedback, we would like to share information on PQS accreditation costs and where it stands in the current market.
PQS accreditation is the most competitive method for achieving SSIP accreditation. PQS can be used to obtain the majority of the SSIP umbrella group partners, such as CHAS and Safe Contractor, under their deem to satisfy scheme
We will explain all of the costs of achieving PQS accreditation and compare it to CHAS, one of the more popular alternatives.
Cost Comparison
CHAS have developed a membership-type offering. The cost of each type depends on how many people you employ.
Costs per annum: You must renew the membership each year.
CHAS accreditation costs
| Standard CHAS | 1 Employee | 2-4 Employees | 5-15 Employees | 16-30 Employees |
| £409+vat | £459+vat | £749+vat | £1,019+vat |
| CHAS Advanced | 1 Employee | 2-4 Employees | 5-15 Employees | 16-30 Employees |
| £639+vat | £739+vat | £1,139+vat | £1,569+vat |
| CHAS Elite | 1 Employee | 2-4 Employees | 5-15 Employees | 16-30 Employees |
| £879+vat | £919+vat | £1,339+vat | £1,979+vat |
Save with PQS accreditation costs
The costs for PQS accreditation are:
| Standard PQS | 1 Employee | 2-4 Employees | 5-15 Employees | Deem to satisfy |
| £99 + vat | £119+vat | £149+vat | £49 + vat |
The fees above are correct as of January 2025.
Training costs
In terms of training that is required to achieve the standard needed for assessment, this can vary depending on your activities.
The assessor will be looking to ensure all members of your workforce are trained for the task they are carrying out.
This can be an industry standard that is needed such as:
- Gas safe for gas engineers
- Level 3 NVQ in Electrical Installations
- CISRS Scaffolding Part 1 & 2 – Scaffolders
They will also look to ensure that refresher training is carried out such as tool box talks and eLearning is often required.
Courses that are often asked for include:
Competent person costs
Ensuring you have the right level of support and advice for your Health & Safety is a bit of a minefield and can be defined simply by the number of employees you have.
Less than 5 employees = Safety Advisor
This service is where you are offered support and advice when needed, this tends to be a one of payment where you will be given a service agreement, certificate and a CV to show the qualifications of the person who is providing you with the advice. Paperwork such as off the shelf risk assessments and risk assessment and Method statements would be provided on an as and when basis should you need them.
5 or more employees = Competent Person
This service is where you pay a monthly retainer fee for continued support and advice should you need it. In this service you will be provided with a full Safety Management System including full Health & Safety Policy and Employee Handbook. A consultant will be on hand to provide advice and guidance should this ever be necessary.
Whilst not every company is black and white like this, the rule of thumb tends to be the details above. You may be asked by a client to prove you have a dedicated support for Health & Safety resource as well as a full health & safety policy.
Additional Information
If you still have more questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we will be happy to help you achieve your accreditation.
Expert Advice
Choosing the right PQS scheme, and getting your documentation right first time, can be the difference between winning work and being delayed or rejected at the pre-qualification stage.
The first question most contractors ask is “how much does it cost?”In many cases, PQS accreditation is significantly more cost-effective than other SSIP schemes such as CHAS, while meeting the same SSIP-recognised standards. All SSIP accreditations follow the same core criteria, so you’re not compromising on compliance.
PQS fees can vary, so rather than guessing, complete a short form and we’ll confirm the exact current cost for your business.
Click the button below.
