How much trust do architects and builders put into different certification systems? And does that trust vary depending on the projects they focus on?

In this fifth video of the series, Matthew Duder, EBOSS, helps answer these questions with key data from our Specifier Insights and Builder Insights 2020 research — a study of the behaviour and preferences of 843 architectural practitioners and 638 builders. This video was originally part of a bonus session of our Specified 2020 annual conference.

What certifications systems do specifiers trust?

PS1s and BRANZ appraisals come out on top for specifiers

Overall, specifiers have the highest level of confidence in PS1 producer statements with 59% saying they are fully confident and a further 36% saying they are somewhat confident. BRANZ appraisals are the next most trusted certification system, followed by PS3s and CodeMark certificates.

International test results and certification inspire the least confidence — architects want testing and documentation that relates to New Zealand standards.

BRANZ appraisals are most trusted for residential design

When it comes to residential design, BRANZ appraisals are the preferred system with 65% of specifiers focussed solely on residential projects saying they are fully confident in the system. PS1s and PS3s remain important, and the level of trust in CodeMark rises for this group.

Specifiers rely on PS1s and PS3s for commercial work

The results change again when looking at specifiers focussed on commercial work, with PS1s and PS3’s being the most trusted systems. 

What certification systems do builders rely on?

Builders trust BRANZ Appraisals

BRANZ appraisals are heavily relied on by builders. Looking at the demographic of the builders we surveyed — which has a skew towards builders who have been in the industry for 25+ years — this suggests seasoned builders have a continued reliance on the systems they are most comfortable with.

PS3s and PS1s trusted most for commercial work

Much like specifiers, builders working solely on commercial projects have greater trust in PS1s and PS3s than other certification systems.

It’s interesting to note that commercial builders are much less confident in CodeMark — only one in eight have full trust in CodeMark certification, compared to one-third of those focussed on residential work. With few commercial builders trusting CodeMark, we can’t ignore the role that PS3s and PS1s play in compliance pathways.

In our next blog post of the series, we will look at the preferred CAD formats for architectural practices of different sizes.

Copyright © EBOSS 2020

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