What is CaseTrust RCMA Joint Accreditation Scheme for renovation businesses?

1. Industrial or business accreditation (ISO 9001) is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of a business are evaluated by an external body (or bodies) to determine if applicable standards are met. If standards are met, accredited status is granted by the external bodies.

In the case of CaseTrust RCMA Joint Accreditation Scheme for renovation businesses, the external bodies are:

• CaseTrust CaseTrust incepted since 1999 (www.casetrust.org.sg) which is the accreditation arm of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), is Singapore’s de facto standard for companies who wish to demonstrate their commitment to fair trading and transparency to consumers. The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) (www.case.org.sg) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that is committed towards protecting consumers interest through information and education, and promoting an environment of fair and ethical trade practices.
• RCMA Singapore Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA) is a trade association formed and registered since 1980 for renovation businesses and building material suppliers. Members are accepted on the bases of at least 2 years renovation track record and good market reputation with no negative feedback from consumers and suppliers. RCMA works for the interest of members and helps members by advising, meditating and resolving any renovation problems and disputes between members and their clients in a fair, neutral and friendly way.

2. Term and evaluation (audit) of CaseTrust RCMA Joint Accreditation Scheme for renovation businesses

Term of each accreditation: 4 years period

Frequency of audit during each term:

• One admission audit of company system and practices by auditors appointed by CaseTrust.

One more interim audit on a bi-yearly basis

3. Significance of CaseTrust RCMA logo

• (a) It signifies that the business means fairness and honesty.
• (b) The business has a foundation of good business practices.
• (c) Through a deposit performance bond, consumers will be protected against closure, winding up and/or liquidation of the renovation business. While all these do not guarantee zero problems, consumers are assured of the availability of dispute resolution measures.

4. Why the need to implement CaseTrust RCMA Joint Accreditation Scheme?

The contractor industry has been listed in the top ten industries with the highest number of complaints received by CASE in the past decade. The top two types of complaints are usually on unsatisfactory services and failure to honour the contractual agreement. For example, contractors may deliver shoddy work such as uneven tiles on the floor, misaligned cabinet doors, wrong paint colour on the walls, water leakage from the pipes, etc. There are often cases where consumers are left in the lurch after the contractor collects the deposit and disappears.

Case encourages consumers to engage a CaseTrust accredited contractor. The Accreditation Scheme will help renovation businesses to tighten up their business and operational systems and practices for fair and transparent trading and quality works.