MCS Assessment

[GSD77]

Got MCS assessment date through for next month hopefully got all QMS in place but starting to panic about what else they might quiz us on any advice or tips would be much appreciated

 

[Markc]

If your QMS is in place then you're 90% there.

Your install will only be looked at, no testing or anything. Pay attention to the little things like labels including the DC cables etc.

If your QMS details areas for quarantine of damaged goods ensure this is clear and labelled etc.

Have everything to hand paperwork wise. Insurance, test certs, Part P info etc etc.

And most importantly........Don't worry about it. They don't pull ya teeth or stick pin's in ya!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[billrag]

Hi all newish to the forum. Just started on the rocky road to mcs , just need to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to pay for it. Happy days.

 

[cookiemonster]

Just passed mine today - rigorous but doable all the same but still a s**t loada work. All i gotta do now is write a website and pursuade someone to buy some kit off us! REAL assesment in 2 weeks to look forward to ... great. Yippee - better be b***dy worth it!

 

[SRE]

Don't forget to look at cashflow before you get started, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the first installs and suddenly find yourself with no cash to buy the kit. If you're not already vat registered do it now - it took nearly 6 months to get mine through and my first claim won't be paid until April - 6 months after MCS achieved.

Good luck!

 

[cookiemonster]

Thanks SRE - great advice.

 

[gr7]

If you're not already vat registered do it now - it took nearly 6 months to get mine through

6 months sounds like an awfully long time, my VAT registration took less than 2 weeks from application.

 

[SRE]

I've no idea why it took so long - I had to take it through the complaints procedure in the end and if one more person had told me - it's ok you'll get it all back in the end I swear I was ready to punch them! Anyway hopefully it wouldn't happen to anyone else but all I'm saying is "be prepared!"

 

[GenFlux Jim]

@cookie monster,
Which Real assessment did you go through? How did it go?

 

[cookiemonster]

I got a letter saying to expect one and then .... nothing. It never happened. Well not so far so can't tell at the mo!

 

[Worcester]

According to HMRC guidelines, you'll find that almost all applications for VAT registration associated with Solar PV will be referred to their 'risk' team, since we all buy at 20% and then charge at 5% (usually) we want the difference back, net effect they will check it is a legitimate business. So you will probably be asked to provide loads of proof of trading, which they will then check, those extra steps can easily add up to 12 - 15 weeks to the process.

 

[SRE]

That explains a lot then. I'm just waiting for my first wadge of cash back. It's taken us 6 months since accreditation to get our cashflow right, once the vat is returned (and I've been warned that it's likely we will have a visit from HMRC because our first vat return gives us so much cash back) we won't need out overdraft anymore - we will actually be completely solvent and can start taking a wage - not sure I can take the excitement!!!

 

[Worcester]

@SRE, just make sure the paper trail is watertight, would be worthwhile having your accountant / book-keeper along - or even appoint your accountant as Agent and then they handle all of it so that you can get on with the real work.

The MCS QMS processes actually helps here as a good one makes sure that it is all trackable.

 

[SRE]

Yep, totally agree, book keeper on alert to be in situ if they visit. I've got more than enough to do without having to worry about that!

On another MCS issue - I was catching up with my paperwork and had 2 installs to register with MCS only to discover they'd started charging - how did I miss this????? As if we don't pay enough for all the MCS, NICEIC, REAL GIS, FBI etc etc - more money - greedy gits :-(

 

[GenFlux Jim]

So was it supposed to be something with the assurance, or were they just after a cuppa?