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Becoming certified

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Setting the benchmark for excellence

The Certified Contractor Scheme (CCS) recognises the professional competence of AFI fencing contractors, who meet minimum standards for training, quality and continual improvement.

Each certification level requires evidence that the contractor fulfils the stated criteria, which reflects the breadth, size and complexity of fencing projects from residential installations to those complex, technical or logistically difficult installations.

General

Basic Criteria:

  • Evidence of a minimum of two years trading
  • Evidence of annual turnover of more than £75,000
  • Two positive contract references OR ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification

Additional Criteria:

  • Insurances: Employer and Public Liability Insurance, Contractors’ All Risk Insurance
  • Health & Safety – SSIP / OHSASS18001

Commercial

Basic Criteria:

  • Evidence of a minimum of two years trading
  • Evidence of annual turnover of more than £75,000
  • Two positive contract references OR ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification

Additional Criteria:

  • Insurances: Employer and Public Liability Insurance, Contractors’ All Risk Insurance
  • Health & Safety – SSIP / OHSASS18001
  • FISS/CSCS Evidence
  • AFI Meeting Attendance / CPD Evidence

Major Projects

Basic Criteria:

  • Evidence of a minimum of two years trading
  • Evidence of annual turnover of more than £75,000
  • Two positive contract references OR ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification

Additional Criteria:

  • Insurances: Employer and Public Liability Insurance, Contractors’ All Risk Insurance
  • Health & Safety – SSIP / OHSASS18001
  • FISS/CSCS Evidence
  • AFI Meeting Attendance / CPD Evidence
  • ISO 9001 QMS Accreditation

Specialist

Basic Criteria:

  • Evidence of a minimum of two years trading
  • Evidence of annual turnover of more than £75,000
  • Two positive contract references OR ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification

Additional Criteria:

  • Insurances: Employer and Public Liability Insurance, Contractors’ All Risk Insurance
  • Health & Safety – SSIP / OHSASS18001
  • FISS/CSCS Evidence
  • AFI Meeting Attendance / CPD Evidence
  • ISO 9001 QMS Accreditation

Accreditation Evidence:

  • Common Assessment Standard OR National Highways Sector Schemes

What are the benefits?

End Users identify suitably qualified fencing contractors who hold the required industry accreditations and training.

  • Easy access to technically competent and appropriately qualified fencing contractors, who hold the requisite skills and wider professional accreditations for specific projects. Procurement officers and commercial and domestic clients can view the profiles of contractors certified to the required level;
  • Bench-marking of contractor competence so that specifiers in public and commercial sectors state in tenders the level of AFI certification required, knowing that contractors with the certification will have fulfilled the appropriate technical, health and safety and regulatory criteria to the satisfaction of the AFI;
  • Peace of mind, particularly for residential clients who can be reassured that basic technical and professional criteria have been met when they select an AFI Certified Contractor, removing the risk of employing tradesmen without the requisite skills.

This means:

  1. Make specification and tender preparation easier
  2. Simplify tenders by stating level of AFI certification required
  3. Search the AFI website to find company profiles and accreditations will be listed under the appropriate level of certification.

Contractors

By achieving AFI Certified Contractor status, contractors benefit from:

  • Snapshot information on the technical expertise, professionalism and regulatory compliance required of contractors
  • Scheme marketing material for inclusion with tenders and for prospecting;
  • Increased business opportunities as tenders increasingly specify AFI Certified Contractor status as a pre-qualification requirement and residential clients look for peace of mind in choosing a reputable and competent contractor;
  • Specifiers, procurement officers and clients (commercial and residential) can search for a fencing contractor, certified at the level appropriate to the contract.

Who can join?

The scheme is open to any fencing contractor who can meet the criteria required. AFI membership is not required to join but fees will apply for non members, starting at £900 +VAT.