If you’re an architect or general contractor who wants to build a good reputation in the construction industry, QCP project certification will help you establish credibility, give your clients peace of mind that the project meets industry standards, and gives you a seal of quality you can be proud of.
What Is QCP Certification?
The Quality Certification Program, or QCP for short, certifies woodworking projects according to a set of quality standards developed by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI). Adopted by architects, woodworkers, contractors, and woodworking firms all over North America and around the world, it’s an accreditation based on quality and compliance.
While QCP certification isn’t mandatory and can’t be enforced legally, it is recognized as proof that a project adheres to the best practices in the industry, and it can help establish credibility and secure more projects as a result.
By submitting a woodwork project under AWI standards, woodworking professionals are showing that they tick all the boxes in terms of quality, precision, and compliance. For example, the AWI standards facilitate better communication between woodworkers, other construction professionals, and clients, leaving less room for error. When assessing whether a project is compliant, QCP also ensures that specifications in terms of dimensions and quality of materials have been followed.
A network of highly qualified inspectors check projects for compliance with the AWI Standards. Each stage of the project has its own sets of standards that need to be complied with before certifications can be issued. QCP certification covers various aspects and stages of architectural woodworking projects, including:
- Submittals
- Quality of materials
- Specs of products
- Fabrication
- Installation
- Finishing
Benefits Of QCP Certification For Architectural Woodwork Projects
Among others, here are some of the top benefits of having a woodworking project QCP-certified:
- Quality control with third-party verification
- Establishing trust and credibility
- Knowledge sharing and technology transfer of best practices
- You have a process in place if any non-conformities in the woodwork are identified
- You’ll be working with a pre-vetted woodworking firm that’s proven to meet industry standards
How Do I Know If My Project Should Be QCP Certified?
With more and more woodworking projects and firms earning QCP certification and licenses, it’s becoming an expectation in the industry, and not having one could end up being a warning sign to potential clients.
The following is a list of the most suited architectural woodworking projects for QCP certification. If you’re working on any of these, we’d strongly recommend registering your project for QCP certification:
- Corporate boardrooms
- Executive offices
- Interior woodwork for museums
- Interior woodwork for schools
- Court Houses
- Performance Centers
You should also consider how visible the woodwork will be, whether the project is of high importance, and whether you need to give your client assurances of compliance.
Unsure if you need to register your project? Answer these questions to find out.
If you’re a woodworker, you may be asked to bid for a woodworking project that requires QCP certification. If that’s the case, and you win the project, you’ll need to get a QCP license for your firm in order to be able to have the project QCP-certified (if you’re not already QCP-licensed, of course).
[Related: What Licensing & Certification Mean in QCP’s Quality Assurance Process]
How Do I Get QCP Certification?
If you have a woodworking project that you need to be certified, you first need to register for certification. This can all be done online in a few simple steps: submit all the required documents, submit your project for comprehensive inspection, and make any necessary adjustments to comply with the standards.
Register a project for QCP certification.
