Uxbridge builder busted for false certification claim

When Hillingdon Council’s trading standards team discovered that Heatwave Construction Ltd was claiming credentials that it did not have, it took action and eventually prosecuted.

Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court heard that Heatwave Construction Ltd, operating out of Royal Lane, Uxbridge, had displayed the logo of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) on its van without authorisation.

Heatwave Construction Ltd was represented by company director Gurcharan Singh Chahal at in court on Tuesday 9^th December, where he admitted charges of engaging in an unfair commercial practice.

The court was told that the council’s trading standard team was notified by NICEIC on 27^th August 2024, that Heatwave was displaying its logos without authorisation.

On 30^th August 2024, council officers sent a letter advising the business that it was not entitled to use the branding. When it had no response, a follow-up letter was hand-delivered on 10^th October, with a 14-day deadline for compliance. Despite this, the logo was still on the van when the trading standards team visited on 7^th November 2024.

In November 2024, the council was notified by NICEIC that Chahal was not, and never had been registered with them, nor authorised to use its branding, logo or certification marks. The council was further informed in June 2025 that Heatwave Construction Ltd had previously been registered as a NICEIC certified contractor between 16^th December 2019 and 4^th January 2024 but was no longer authorised after that date.

The court was told that Chahal was invited to attend an interview with trading standards under caution on 21^st January 2025 and again on 20^th February, but he failed to attend both times.

At last week’s sentencing, Judge Kathryn Verghis gave Chahal credit for the guilty plea, but said: “You would have had clear economic advantage which could have had deadly consequences.”

Heatwave Construction Ltd was ordered to pay £480, a victim surcharge of £192 and the council’s prosecution costs of £1,657. Chahal was handed a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £26 and prosecution costs of £1,657.

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