Electrician Boyd Goulden has come up with a novel way to help safeguard all documents relating to safety around the home.
CertOn is a paperless document storage system that allows homeowners to upload and store all relevant documentation. But it’s much more than a cloud-based storage system.
Through the issue of a unique QR code linked to the property, CertOn allows installers to use their own smartphone or tablet to read the QR code and access all important documents instantly.
It is something the NICEIC registered electrician says will help all tradespeople: “I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have been astounded at the lack of certification or missing documents I come across at customer sites.
“Sometimes it can be blatantly negligent of the previous trades not to have given or left the correct certificates with the customer. Or it could be that the customer has not understood the importance of keeping that information, for it to be misplaced or lost, soon to be forgotten about.”
Using an App and QR code, CertOn acts as a digital store for documents such as electrical certificates, gas checks, fire safety, Fensa, building notifications, warranties, and much more.
Boyd, who runs Rickmansworth-based Complete Finish Ltd, says the application can be used by a variety of professionals, including electricians, gas fitters, developers, housing associations, estate/letting agents and landlords.
For a property which is having lots of work done and will lead to different trades installing and signing-off certificates or issuing documents at different times, Boyd believes it’s the perfect answer.
While he has not given up the day job, Boyd has now had the idea patented and exhibited at the recent Toolfair/ELEX show, where he said the idea was well received. He is in talks with housing associations about how the product can work across a portfolio of properties and is also planning to set up an affiliate’s scheme which will allow tradespeople to earn money for every CertOn tag they sell to a homeowner.
