CHAS or constructionline

[Robert_S]

Chas accreditation has helped me secure a few contracts.

[Yorkshireman]

chas can help in tendering situations as it can be a preproven answer , which then stops you having to answer some of the HS questions in the pqq itt

[likeitorlumpit]

sounds like its CHAS then

but their logo sucks

Damn- I know I really need to do both

[Robert_S]

i think if you do the CHAS the construction line is almost a gimme once you pay them some cash....i think.

[Constructionline]

Morning, i hope you dont mind me hijacking your thread, i am not here to sell at all, but obviously am interested in your views.

 

Like already posted, CHAS (Or any H&S accreditation via the SSIP umbrella body ( http://www.ssip.org.uk ) take care of your 'stage 1 H&S assessment as layed out in the ACoP Appendix 4 of CDM 2007)

Constructionline take care of the remaining areas of Stage 1 PreQualification as layed out by BIS.

 

Therefore, if you hold a valid SSIP accreditation, and Constructionline, you have demonstrated STAGE 1 PQQ standards, not just H&S competency. Constructionline accept a valid cert from an SSIP member scheme in place of their H&S appendix, and in May, will offer their own SSIP H&S assessment.

 

Now the advice:

 

1. If you are considering registering on Constructionline in the hope of winning more work, please dont. You will become frustrated with the amount of work to maintain your assessment when the phone doesn't ring for job offers.

2. If you have been asked to complete an assessment for a client, then by completing the assessment, you should no longer have to complete forms or send information to them as they can access all your information via the database.

3. If you are already registered on Constructionline, and feel you dont get anything for it, please check your supplier profile, and buyer activity. A problem we have is suppliers not being told when they have been checked on Constructionline first.

 

This youtube clip (3 minutes) tells you what its all about

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALotzS1Wlno]Constructionline in 3 minutes - YouTube[/ame]

 

I have a final question i would really appreciate to understand your views.

 

We have a process whereby a supplier registers interest, and pays their annual fee, and then is asked to complete the full application. This was designed to put people off who weren't sure they wanted to register. I have been very surprised to see how many suppliers actually pay the money and dont complete the application.

 

Could we have done anything differently, to either a) stop you paying your fee 50 weeks ago or b) help you complete the process immediately.

 

As i say, we have a number of suppliers in your position, and i am keen to fix the problem.

 

Anyway, thanks for letting me jump in, as i say, i am not here to sell, but will happily answer questions or issues you may have with Constructionline.

 

Many thanks.

[Peter]

Interesting points, I am in the same position as the op myself actually.

 

I completed CHAS, then started construction online as I thought it would be very simple to complete with already having passed the h&s parts. I wasn't really prepared for the equality and diversity etc questions, and to be perfectly honest a lot of it isn't really applicable to small firms. (less than 5 employees). How are you supposed to represent local ethnic diversity when it's only me and 2 lads? In the end I got really busy with tree work and never bothered to finish it.

 

2 suggestions, firstly allow new applicants to finish the application and then pay the fee on submission. Second could there be an option for small firms without some of those irrelevant questions?

[Constructionline]

Hi Peter,

 

thanks for your feedback.

 

We used to have a process where suppliers would pay at the very end, but what ended up happening was our helpline and registrars were helping suppliers to not complete forms, at the expense of the 22,000 that were already registered.

 

We changed the position of the payment, and put in a pre-assessment team to help those, but the payment portal change doesn't appear to have stopped the problem.

 

We are currently considering a number of changes, and putting it back to where it was is one of them.

 

We are also considering changing the order of the questions, to those mandatory questions, followed by payment, so you become registered, and the non mandatory questions if you choose to answer them after you payed and got registered. (if that makes sense) - would that make a difference to what you and the OP experienced?

 

What we are trying to prevent, is people paying and not getting registered, and to protect/fix the perception it is just a tax on the supplychain.

 

As for the small firm (less than 5 staff) problem, i totally agree. This is technically more difficult to develop (so i am told by our developers) but links to the above point.

 

If we ask you at the start, and deliver a specific set of questions, then the process should be easier.

 

Did you ever get registered in the end, or did your application lapse?

[Peter]

Think it's lapsed by now, but I probably don't really need it in the foreseeable future. Most of my work is domestic, when I started the construction online application I was quoting for several new construction type clients, but that has all gone quiet. If things do pick up I might consider redoing it.

[Constructionline]

I think that's the right approach Peter, just a shame you got messed around when you first approached us.

 

Thanks for your feedback like i said, it is taken on board.

[likeitorlumpit]

OK

Great that you discovered this thread

I was advised it was a good idea to get registered to stay in with HO's and started the process.

Not realising the complexity- as Peter says- ethnic checks

truth and openness etc etc

the list seemed endless.

I'm sure it wasn't too onerous and maybe I should have delegated it to a more office mentality type. (wife)

So' we got busy and despite your regular e mails warning that it would lapse just lost the impetus. A phone call guiding me through the process from where I got distracted might have worked better if that helps you make a decision going forward.

I'm trying again but now am waiting for my log on details to be sent so I can do it online.

I've got 1 week

Now I'm worried when you say there is ongoing maintenance to keep up to date. Will I find time?