The launch of the Master Contractors Accreditation Bureau (MCAB) at the end of November last year elicited more than 500 requests from consumers desperate to secure the services of credible, reliable building contractors.
That's according to MCAB spokesperson Mannie Simon, who says members of the public have become so wary of being taken for a ride by unscrupulous operators that many have put their building plans on hold until MCAB has finalised its list of accredited contractors. He notes however, that MCAB is unable to assist clients with past problems since the Bureau will only have control over its own accredited members in the future.
Simon adds that MCAB, which was formed as a private body intended to protect the rights of consumers and clean up the renovations industry, is well into the process of accrediting contractors' applications. These members will form the nucleus of the organisation's database once the initial accreditation process is complete β ideally by the end of February.
To contractors for initial accreditation, MCAB will be waiving the accreditation fee and first two months' membership fees for successfully accredited contractors. Another enticement intended to fast-track the organisation's ascent to the position of industry guardian is its decision not to bind members contractually. "This places them in a win-win situation since they have nothing to lose and lots to gain if they apply for accreditation before the end of February," he says.
Consumers about to undertake renovations are reportedly upbeat about the existence of MCAB. "Finally they will have access to an organization that can redress poor conduct and unscrupulous behavior on their behalf," says Simon. "The formation of a group of accredited and recognised elite contractors has not come about a day too soon, considering that home owners are losing millions of rands each year as a result of unethical or inexperienced fly-by-night operators. We are under no illusions regarding our role as a credible grouping that, through advertising and exposure forums, will become a sustainable reality which exists to serve the public's best interests."
Simon says MCAB's combined monthly membership fees will provide the organization with the accumulative muscle required to advertise its portfolio in the form of a multi-pronged publicity drive, where it will feature dominantly on radio, television and in the print media. This, he believes, will allow its contractor members to be seen as professionals, finally able to elevate themselves above the opportunists who proliferate in the industry owing to its current lack of controls and standards.
MCAB, which has invested a substantial amount of private funding in the initiative, is also working with certain financial institutions, keen to encourage them to insist that their clients use MCAB-approved contractors when taking out loans to fund renovations or repairs. "This course of action will allow financial institutions to safeguard their investments in the renovations market while at the same time protect their clients," he says.
On track to switch over to an automated website in the near future, which will allow for easy public access to its list of accredited contractors, Simon says MCAB has also set up a call centre to recommend registered contractors to the public throughout the country. "The public should be able to start obtaining registered members from the MCAB website from the end of February."
Amongst its longer-term goals is the provision of risk cover to clients through the group's short-term insurer, he says.
