By Rick Graf (Billbergia)
The Australian construction and development industry stands at a pivotal crossroad. At a time when all Governments have committed to ambitious new housing targets under the National Housing Accord, consumer confidence and trust in the sector have never been more important.
As a leading builder/developer committed to quality and integrity, Billbergia is proud to be an early adopter of the Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT), a game-changing initiative that helps consumers and investors assess the trustworthiness and capabilities of our sector and the projects we deliver.
Developed by the global data analytics and credit ratings firm Equifax, iCIRT is an independent government-recognised star rating system. Its purpose is simple yet profound. It provides an objective and transparent assessment of builders, developers, and construction professionals that’s helping to re-establish consumer confidence in the new housing sector.
iCIRT assessments draw on over 150 key attributes, and thousands of data points that come together with those independent evidentiary checks and balances. Participating businesses are evaluated across various criteria that encompass everything from character, capability, and conduct to track record, transparency, and the quality of relationships with clients and suppliers.
For too long, property buyers have been forced to make life-changing decisions with limited information about who is building their homes. iCIRT directly addresses this challenge by shining light on the history, capabilities, and conduct of building professionals and the companies they own or work for. It allows buyers to make informed choices and rewards those who consistently deliver quality and honour their commitments.
At Billbergia, we believe that trust is earned through transparency, accountability, and a relentless commitment to quality. The iCIRT system aligns with our values and represents an important step forward for our industry. We encourage developers, builders, and consultants to embrace this independent assessment tool, not just as a compliance exercise, but as a catalyst for cultural change.
iCIRT may not be a silver bullet, but it is a powerful tool for change. It’s up to all industry players to champion its adoption and set the standard for what it means to be a trusted property professional in Australia.It was great to sit down with Brad Walters from Equifax and the Property Now Podcast team recently to discuss how iCIRT is contributing to improving the trustworthiness of our construction industry.
You can listen to the podcast here https://youtu.be/0FJNWifNOx4?si=-uH9CbaARaAfZDZI
