The Accredited Quality Contractor program was launched in 1993. It is a program which publicly recognizes and honors those construction firms which have documented their commitment in five key areas of corporate responsibility:
- Quality
- Safety (STEP Gold, Platinum or Diamond Level Required)
- Employee Benefits
- Training
- Community Relations and Diversity
AQC Pledge
“As an Accredited Quality Contractor, our company is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality construction services and we care deeply about our employees and the communities in which we build. We are proud to be part of the construction industry and are dedicated to the principle of free enterprise. We commit ourselves to serve our communities and to provide our employees with the skills they need to work safely and productively in order to meet the needs of our clients.” Contractors that successfully qualify as “Accredited Quality Contractors” are accredited for one year. Member companies must renew each year.
Benefits of An Accredited Quality Contractor
- Wide recognition within the industry, the business community, and the public
- National and local recognition in publications
- Authorization to use AQC language in bid documents
- Permission to use the AQC logo on letterhead, business cards and jobsite signs
- Access to AQC Marketing Materials such as stickers, brochures, membership plaque, etc.
- Points on National Excellence in Construction Awards submissions for being AQC certified
Every year, Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston present the Excellence in Construction Awards. This event, established in 2000, recognizes outstanding projects in the commercial and industrial construction industry. Members in good standing have the opportunity to submit completed projects into the formal competition. Top scoring projects will be showcased at the evening program. In addition, winners are also given local and national media attention in the form of press releases, including features dedicated to the awards program in ABC’s Build Houston Magazine. Winners at the local level are eligible, and encouraged, to participate in the ABC National Awards competition. ABC Houston members traditionally do well at the National Competition.
Founded in 1989 by the ABC National Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) Committee as a safety benchmarking and improvement tool, the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) has evolved into a world-class safety management system that dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on 25 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents.
Do you know a fellow member who goes above and beyond normal volunteer duties? Maybe a member who has done something particularly notable to advance the message and mission of ABC/CMEF? Or, a member who has a well-rounded knowledge of ABC/CMEF and its benefits and shares that knowledge with members and non-members alike? Maybe you know of a member who seems to be at every event or training opportunity ABC/CMEF offers? Then, nominate that member for ABC Idol!
ABC Idol recognizes members that stand out, go above and beyond normal volunteer activities to enhance the reputation of ABC. Members with the highest level of nominations will be named ABC Idol for the month and be presented with the ABC Golden Hammer until a new ABC Idol is named!
Members who win ABC Idol receive special perks such as:
- Recognition opportunities on the ABC website, e-news, and at the ABC Office
- Special reserved VIP parking at the ABC office
- Recognition at an ABC event