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The single most important factor in upholding a high standard of skilled craftspeople in the Association of Master Roofers is the standard of entry to the association and maintaining a code of good practice for all members.
Some trade associations have low thresholds for accepting members and adopt a model which maximises on membership rather than credibility.
As a not-for-profit association, our primary aim is to maintain a high working knowledge and skill set within our membership pool as the primary factor. This will always be our priority over financial reward.
When choosing a contractor from a trade association, it is vitally important to look at the application criteria of the association to gain an understanding of the calibre of workmanship you might find from its members.
Unlike most other trade associations, our vetting process is carried out annually so we are routinely making an updated assessment of our existing members to ensure standards are maintained.
AMR recognises that contractors often have skills and expertise in a broad range of areas and general roofers can be highly competent in many ways.
However, when vetting applicants it is difficult to determine the areas in which they excel unless examining each individual discipline on its own merit.
For this reason, our vetting process is carried out on a specific specialist area. Companies are invited to apply to be listed in multiple specialist member categories, but each area of expertise is vetted individually with a specialist vetting officer carrying out on-site project assessment for a given specialist skill. This ensures that members are skilled in each separate specialist area in which they are listed within the association.Â
Another unique factor in our processes is how we support contractors who fail our vetting processes, as well as those who are successful.
If an applicant does not meet the criteria to join the Association of Master Roofers, we then offer support and guidance so that they can apply for vetting at a later date.
This can be as simple as offering support and industry signposting for health and safety practices, right through to business mentoring and staff training.
Our vetting officers will give a schedule of goals and timeframes to the applicant and work with them to help identify areas which need improvement, before rescheduling a second vetting.
Because our aims are to improve the overall standards of UK roofing, we strive to create an inclusive mindset for all contractors operating in the sector.
Upon sending an application to become a member of the Association of Master Roofers, applicants have to meet our standards of membership.
We arrange a site vetting with the contractor and carry out two site visits: one for a completed project in the given specialist area, plus another ongoing project where we are able to see the project in its construction stage. This helps us to gain insight into the company’s practices and methods and whether they meet the levels required and follow the UK standards for roofing.
Secondly we ask an elected person or persons at the applicant company to be involved in a professional discussion with our vetting officer.
This involves a one- hour conversation where the vetting officer will ask industry-specific questions about use of materials, techniques and methods, plus questions about the professional attributes of the applicant company.
Finally the vetting officer completes a background analysis on the company’s business practices and checks relevant documentation such as public liability, employer liability and third party insurances, health and safety compliance and ethical standards.