The Accreditus Register is part of The Better Business Group, an independent body formed in 1995 to protect consumers and promote ethical and professional businesses. We have worked with the team for many years, and are proud to be close partners.
How it works
- Give Accreditus details of the project, the approximate value, preferred start date and whether the plans have been approved or not.
- The team will endeavour to match your requirements to recommended builders on the Register, who are obviously available when you need them.
- You’ll be sent their Accreditus Certificates detailing their rating and feedback from past customers.
- Should you wish they will background check (free of charge!) the other building firms on your tender shortlist just send over the detailed quote* you have received
- Go ahead with an Accreditus registered firm and on completion of the project, you’ll be asked to complete a Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire. The answers will be integrated into the company’s rating to benefit future customers.
Oh and have we said that the service is entirely free?
Accreditus is probably the most thorough building firm vetting service in the UK today. All firms on the Register have been independently assessed, are continually monitored and bound by a Code of Conduct.
And that’s a particularly important distinction. It’s not enough that they come on board, all present and correct. The team checks that the high standards set by Accreditus continue to be adhered to, year in, year out.
Making it onto the Register
To be accepted onto the Register in the first place, Accreditus survey a random selection of past customers to establish staff knowledge, staff politeness, together with cleanliness, punctuality and helpfulness of workmen. They’re asked about reliability, trustworthiness, fulfillment of assurances, accuracy of the quotation, and value for money. They’re also requested to comment on timescales, outstanding queries and whether they would recommend or use again.
All this information is analysed and a percentage grading is established. Only those who have achieved the highest levels of customer satisfaction are accepted onto the register.
Building firms’ own testimonials don’t count. And they can’t just select the good jobs for surveying – which is the case with other registers we won’t mention…
An Accreditus building firm will be able to show you a Certificate detailing their current approval ratings. As well as listing the overall grading you will see how many days they’ve been undergoing monitoring.
Ongoing scrutiny
Grading Certificates for every business on the Register are updated on a daily basis to show current levels of satisfaction. For the homeowner’s assurance and protection, Accreditus track every enquiry their tradesmen receive whether they win the job or not. If a building firm doesn’t win a job Accreditus will find out why. Only the firms who maintain their highest standards and comply with the Accreditus contract, remain on the Register.
Accreditus can check your own building firms!
If you request details of a building firm from the Accreditus Register and are seriously considering asking other building firms to tender as well… Accreditus will carry out the same background check on them too FREE OF CHARGE. Bear in mind, over 70% of the searches Accreditus undertake on alternative building firms, reveal some degree of detrimental information.
You’d be surprised (we always are!) how many seemingly professional firms have been re-launched under slightly different names and have numerous County Court Judgments against them!
Public Liability Insurance
All firms on the Register hold valid Public Liability Insurance which is held on file by Accreditus. You’d be amazed how many firms today don’t have insurance…
Financial credentials
All firms on the Register are investigated for any history of financial irregularity. It’s not something many homeowners undertake themselves (it can be expensive) and not all architects who make recommendations, provide this service either.
Any complaints with the builder…
In the unlikely event that the Accreditus recommended building firm is in breach of contract then Accreditus will support the homeowner. That’s because everyone on the Register has agreed to be bound by a legally binding mediation procedure to resolve disputes. Name another Register or Trade Association offering the same level of support? Well we can’t…
What next?
So if you would like to find a trustworthy and reliable building firm for your project why not get in touch. Either chat with us about the service on 0117 916 7878 or give The Better Business Group a call on 01707 859900 or email them at help@thebbg.co.uk
*The quote must be a detailed quote based on the full building regulation drawings. The value of the quote must be in excess of £10,000+VAT
Complete the form and we’ll get in touch with you!
