Certifiers are regulated by the Building Professionals Board and subject to strict accreditation criteria and legislative requirements. Their role is to inspect construction works at critical stages, to confirm the development meets legislative requirements and issue certificates once it achieves compliance.
If your building or structure requires a construction certificate or complying development certificate, you will need to appoint a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) before any construction begins. Before appointing an accredited certifier or PCA, consider these five questions to determine if they’re right for the job.
Are they an A1 Accredited Certifier?
There are many different categories of accredited certifiers, each classified according to their expertise, qualifications and experience. An A1 certifier holds the highest level of accreditation, which means they can work on and certify complex buildings of any classification.
A1 certifiers must demonstrate specialty knowledge, skills and qualifications. They must have many years of practical experience and understand all aspects of NSW legislation relating to building and construction compliance, fire safety, environmental protection and building surveying.
MBC is accredited with the NSW Government as an A1 Accredited Certifier and Principal Certifying Authority. This means we can use alternate solutions to achieve compliance, with no limitations on building size or project scope.
Do they hold ISO 9001 certification?
The ISO9001 Quality Management Systems certification is issued by an independent international authority and confirms that the accredited certifier can demonstrate quality assurance in all systems and processes.
At MBC, we hold ISO 9001 certification and have a series of checks and balances in place to maintain quality assurance at every stage of your development. These include a dual-approval process, comprehensive checklists and automated systems to reduce the risk of human error.
Do they have experience working on similar developments?
Many accredited certifiers specialise in a particular area, such as dwelling homes or swimming pool certification. It’s important to make sure your accredited certifier has the qualifications, skills and experience to achieve compliance for your development. MBC certifies and consults on all development types, from complex mixed-use developments to simple retail fitouts. Contact us for examples of previous developments similar to yours.
Do they use the latest technology?
The certification industry is known for the copious amount of paper it generates, but high-quality accredited certifiers will use technology to speed up your certification and streamline the process. Our paperless system means you’ll receive all documentation and communication electronically, to alleviate delays in response time and ensure your certificate is issued swiftly.
Can you access your certifier directly?
When you speak with accredited certifiers, ask them about their business structure and find out if you’ll be dealing directly with the accredited certifier. Many organisations will put you in touch with an administrative team member and make it difficult for you to speak directly with the accredited certifier working on your development. We pride ourselves on being accessible to clients, so you can contact the accredited certifier working on your project directly at all times.
Looking for an A1 accredited certifier and Principal Certifying Authority, or want to know more? Contact us or call 02 9939 1530.