Why Building Accreditations Matter

Building accreditations are all about defining and recognising quality. There are a number of different accreditation schemes, but they all outline the skills, knowledge, and code of conduct required by Sydney commercial builders. When a builder is qualified with an accreditation, this instills faith and confidence in the client. More than that, it is incredibly important for honest, capable people to be in charge of building! On a personal level, for builders, accreditations also serve as a record of achievement.

Standards

First and foremost, accreditation schemes are important because they establish the high standards that builders should work towards. By setting standards in this way, Sydney construction companies are aware of the expectations placed on them, and the quality of work they should aim to achieve. They also know the minimum standards, and what they need to do to achieve further accreditation. Consumers can rest with the knowledge that accredited builders will act professionally and lawfully. Some of the most vital accreditations include Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental, and Quality Assurance.

Credibility

To put it quite simply, certification directly relates to credibility. Accreditations attest to the building company’s capabilities and achievements. By doing so, they promote the company’s trustworthiness, integrity, and ability to comply with the law. Building companies have to prove their eligibility for certification and really earn the label, and as such, it is one they have a right to wear proudly.

Third party involvement

Accreditations are assessed by council certifiers (70%) and private certifiers (30%). The involvement of this type of third party is important for both builders and consumers. Consumers have peace of mind in that they know the work of accredited Sydney developers is overseen by a strict board. Furthermore, they know that they can confidently contact that board if any issues arise.

Development

From a builder’s perspective, being involved in an accreditation scheme is invaluable. By obtaining and maintaining membership, a Sydney construction company like PBG can gain further insights about the industry. They are updated on new techniques, legislation, and initiatives. They also benefit from the results of the board’s complaints and auditing program, which allows them to learn from the successes and failures of their peers.

A Breakdown of Patterson Building Group’s accreditations

• PBG has a certified Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with AS/NZS ISO 9001: 2008. To put this in a way non-builders can understand, QMS is an international quality benchmark. It is set to ensure business performance and customer confidence.
• PBG also has an accredited Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) system in accordance with AS/NZS 4801-2001. This means they continue to provide safe premises, machinery, and materials, as well as appropriate training and supervision.
• Finally, PBG has a certified Environmental Management System in compliance with AS/NZS 14001:2004. PBG manages its business in such a way to avoid any adverse effects on the local government as well as protecting both on-site workers and the community.

The challenge of being environmentally conscious

In this day and age, where we have an acute awareness of the effect of our actions on the environment, being ‘green’ has slowly infiltrated industry. Some Sydney commercial builders jumped on the environmentally conscious bandwagon and embraced the trend, but this decision is not without its challenges. Typically, building is about doing the job quickly and efficiently, but being mindful of the environment requires a little more effort on the builders’ behalf. With a bit of creativity and commitment, Sydney developers can overcome challenges and build with a conscience.

Challenge: The client wants to use aesthetically pleasing materials, and believes that the higher the cost, the higher the quality.

Solution: Enlighten them to the range of recycled materials available.

There are many wonderfully creative people in this world, and some of them work on recycling materials to make something new and fresh. The result is often a unique creation that doesn’t harm the environment. Sydney builders such as Patterson Building Group can recycle materials like glass, wood, light fittings, and bricks and by doing so, make an edgy and ethical building. By incorporating just a few green touches in your building, you will avoid harming the environment in some small way.

Challenge: Time restrictions.

Solution: Consider the environment at the same time as you are planning the building project.

There are several steps that come before laying the foundation. One of the first, and key, aspects of planning for all Sydney builders is the building development proposal and strategy. Most companies work through a checklist, consulting the client at regular intervals. The checklist is created with a time frame in mind, and everything must be ticked off before the project commences. In order to complete the checklist, excellent time management is a necessity. Simply add the environment to the checklist as something that needs to be done, and considering it will become a natural part of the process. This way, environmentally conscious building will not feel like a burden, or require too much extra time.

Challenge: Attracting enough interest in order to turn a profit comparable to non-green building projects.

Solution: Alert other organisations of your activity and dedicate some budget to advertising your green services.

It can’t be ignored that making money is at the core of all business ventures. The question is, how can you balance profit and green building? Due to the increased interest in the environment, the answer is simpler than you might think! The first thing to do is alert both government and nongovernmental organisations of your green building initiatives. They will then be able to promote your business to the ‘greenie’ population, and hopefully attract prospective clients. Secondly, approach ‘green’-leaning media. In the past few years, eco magazines and websites have proliferated rapidly. Their focus is to guide people to live a more environmentally friendly life, and green building obviously fits into that niche. You may have to pay for such exposure, but with the green sector growing at the rate it is, it is really worth advertising to this market.