Arb Approved - is it worth it?

[Chris at eden]

Some contracts such large council street tree pruning contracts only invite tenders from those that are AA approved.  Also, many councils refer residents to the AA list if they are asked for a recommendation as most no longer have recommended lists of their own.  It’s not that tree surgeons that are not on the list are bad, there are plenty of good ones.  But, if you are on the list then chances are you are probably good and have been independently assessed to prove it. That is piece of mind for some folk.  
 

Plus, they send you some stickers for your truck.  And a logo for the website. 

[Chipperclown]

Stickers please!

[Craig Johnson]

20 hours ago, Chipperclown said:

Interesting thread but could somebody  please explain to me (as I sincerely don't understand) what happens once you have achieved the AA approval? 

 

 

just carry on as before but charge more, can open some doors which shouldn't be locked 

[Chipperclown]

I would say from the comments that the AA doesn't sound appealing. A few years back I was CHAS approved and I seem to remember a greater access to bidding contacts, however pretty sure I didn't really exploit that potential opportunity really.

[benedmonds]

15 hours ago, Craig Johnson said:

just carry on as before but charge more, can open some doors which shouldn't be locked 

Using an ARB approved company makes it easier for many clients.  It out sources the due diligence. The client can be happy the company has everything in place, so they don't need to ask to see all the backroom stuff that should be going on.

[Clutchy]

Sorry to revive an old thread. 

 

To give another side to the story.

 

 A lot of the companies we used to sub for I have no idea how they are AA. One particular AA company in London often showcases their terrible reductions so I can't see how getting your best climber one day to pass the assessment for a reduction somehow makes the whole company competent... 

 

Still in two minds on how to further our business. Getting CHAS accredited has helped getting onto building sites where we earn a lot more ££. I have never once been asked if we are AA and can't see much point to it. All you get asked to do is work that would 100% not pass the assessment to be AA. Some of the cut backs you have to do to accommodate planning/building plans are brutal. 

 

You have to remember that a lot of builders have no idea what the AA is... and we have worked for some of the largest UK house builders and council partnerships. The main criteria they want to satisfy is that your company is competent in H&S (CHAS) and your workforce has ROLO and a skilled CSCS card alongside the main tickets for tree work. That and the ability to turn RAMS around in 24 hours. 

 

I have changed my mind 3 times this year whether to go down the AA route but reading through the assessment pages on their site makes it look a lot more agg than its worth. 

If the day comes where it is recognised in the building sector or becomes a requirement we will of course do it but until that day comes it is much better to gain more building related accreditations such as CHAS, SSIP, Safe contractor etc 

 

Again, no disrespect intended to any one who is AA, it is a massive achievement. If anyone can actually give some example of 'doors opened' it would probably help convince me to go down that route but simply being on the list on their site isn't enough. 

 

I actually hope being AA becomes a requirement for any commercial works in the future.