Should certifying organizations do random checks?

mbryan

mbryan

New member
I know it may seem to be a stretch, but I would think that certifying bodies would make random checks of their certified members to ensure that the companies are living up to the organizations standards.

We have about 10 different companies in the LA area with certifications from every different major certifying body IKECA, PWNA, CHDCA and Ackland and the more I see of these different companies the more it makes me wonder why I am even certified.

Here is one recently cleaned by a certified company from the list above that we looked at last week. Its kind of hard to sell the idea of hiring certified companies to restaurants or getting Fire Inspectors involved in requiring certification when certified companies are doing this type of work.

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Not much any of us can do. It is up to each of us to see that our house is in order and make sure the cards deck is cut. I hate seeing things like this-all we can do is just work on and point out the problems.
 
Are you saying Certifying bodies are just taking money and not policing there certificate holders??? That sucks!!
 
It is hard enough for buyers to figure out who the good guys and the bad guys are.....I think the certification thing has no guarantees of quality/ thorough work.

That is a shame.
 
I wouldn't mind it. However I think it is up to us to make sure the customer knows what clean is. Let's be honest we all know clients that "just want the sticker" Yes I clean their hoods to the best of my ability but when I do it I know my two kids need food and a warm house so it matters to me what kind of job I give the customer. There are a few cleaners out there that blow and go and just get the hood shiney and never do the fan or duct. will they get away with it today , sure but will it get them tomorrow? Maybe, maybe not, here is the kicker, what if they do get caught?? They loose a client that they sucked for god knows how much and did little for it. Chris you are right on
 
If you are seeing a lousy job done by a member of any of the certifying bodies I would say call the Certifier. Maybe they can give the company a heads up, if it is an employee, or offer them some additional training if it is an owner. There should be accountability for poor workmanship, especially if the cleaner claims to clean to the certified standard.
 
rat (rt) n.

Slang.
A despicable person, especially one who betrays or informs upon associates.
 
I would point them out to the owner or post the image on the bb.

In thinking about random checks-lets say this checker looks at a job and notes that it is ok and two days later it burns down. Now the checker has a problem-the liability shifts to him because he was paid and didn't find the problem.

In a way we are like auto workers-some good and some bad-and the badge is just a guide line only. I tell all my customer to check our work-my paperwork states that same thing.

Matt you forgot to give me a call.
 
Certifications look good on paper. Customers who have not dealt with a "bad" certified contractor may be swayed by certs. But once they get burned your certifications mean nothing at all to them. Then you have to sell based on your companies reputation for quality service.
I believe that if you pay for membership in an organization that certifies your knowledge, training, etc, that organization has a responsibility to make sure you are living up to your end of the bargain. If you are not providing the quality they expect, your certification should be revoked, and you should be fined if you continue to advertise as a certified contractor.
Just my opinion. But, I would like to know that a certification REALLY means something before I sign up.
 
thompsonpw said:
Certifications look good on paper. Customers who have not dealt with a "bad" certified contractor may be swayed by certs. But once they get burned your certifications mean nothing at all to them. Then you have to sell based on your companies reputation for quality service.
I believe that if you pay for membership in an organization that certifies your knowledge, training, etc, that organization has a responsibility to make sure you are living up to your end of the bargain. If you are not providing the quality they expect, your certification should be revoked, and you should be fined if you continue to advertise as a certified contractor.
Just my opinion. But, I would like to know that a certification REALLY means something before I sign up.
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Great points Scott. There is another point that many didn't know Including yours truly back in the day but when dealing with Certification besides like you that whoever is doing the certifying they should also have the responsibility to make sure your living up to your end of the bargain, The Certifying group should most definitely have an insurance policy in place in case someone tries to sue the certifier for damages for whatever reason. This policy alone is not cheap but in the big picture of things its a bargain and also the right thing to do. The price for a policy like this is around $5000 a year.

Also to take this one step further and it probably doesn't belong here but I'll throw it out there anyway an org whether its for profit or not for profit once again insurance is another factor. Every individual that serves on its board needs to have insurance coverage for there positions. There will be for better or worse a person with a possible valid gripe or just a nut job who will look to sue. In the Org that I was involved in we had an insurance policy for each and every member in a position and in that case it was from the President down to the newest board of director. This was a very smart move and once again the right thing to do. We were BONDED.
 
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