When it comes to interior architectural woodwork projects, quality assurance is hard to implement if, from the start, you don’t have high quality materials or expert woodworkers. The risk of the project taking a wrong turn, one that you might later regret if it costs you time and money, is high if the standards are low. In this blog post, we explore the risks of using unlicensed woodworkers on your interior woodworking projects.
What are QCP-Licensed Woodworkers?
QCP-licensed woodworkers have undergone a thorough testing and vetting process by QCP inspectors who have been in the woodworking industry for many years. They adhere to the AWI Standards of Architectural Woodwork, and have often completed many QCP-certified projects.
The process of gaining a QCP license ensures compliance, consistency, and best in industry quality, so you can be confident in their work ethic and of an end result that exceeds client expectations.
Licensed woodworkers have efficient, reliable, and streamlined workflows, and will deliver excellence on every project.
QCP-licensed woodworkers:
- Provide accurate estimates – your specifications and expectations are properly documented, and the estimate covers everything you need from QCP project certification
- Effectively manage projects – QCP makes it easy for all stakeholders to communicate and coordinate more effectively based on the requirements in the standards
- Complete the project as specified – the woodworker’s QCP license and the QCP project certification are your assurance that your project specification will be fulfilled. The woodworking specifications and benchmark goals are signed off by expert inspectors who are highly experienced former architectural woodworkers
What are the Risks of Using a Woodworker who Doesn’t Have a QCP License?
Whether you’re a client, an architect or a general contractor, you’ll be risking the quality of your project if you hire a non-licensed woodworker.
It’s often impossible to recognize that there’s something wrong on a woodworking project until it’s too late, but using a QCP-licensed woodworking firm means that their skills and quality of work have been and will continue to be inspected. Oftentimes, it’s work that hasn’t been fabricated or installed correctly by an unlicensed woodworker which serves as the main reason to hire a licensed woodworker.
Additionally, best practices for assembly methodology aren’t assured with non-licensed woodworkers. They may have many years of experience, but that in itself might not be the reliable basis you need to ensure your project will meet industry standards and best practises.
Another potential risk with using an unlicensed woodworker on a project you want to have QCP-certified is that they will have to go through the QCP licensing process in order for the project to be certified, as non-licensed woodworking firms can’t have projects certified by QCP. While the firm can become QCP licensed if they are willing to do so and the project timeline allows for this, it’s a much smoother process to work with a firm that already holds a QCP license, knows the standards, and can instantly start working to your specifications. You’ll also mitigate any potential delays in the implementation of the project, and if you rush it, you might end up with substandard work that is not easy to correct.
Why Should I use a QCP-Licensed Woodworker for my Architectural Woodwork Project?
The bottom line for using QCP-licensed woodworkers for architectural woodwork projects is quality assurance. You can rest assured that you’ll get high quality woodwork delivered according to industry best practice, and in turn, this will help you build a good reputation among clients and potential clients. If anything does go wrong, QCP will be there to support you, at no cost to you – think of it like free insurance.
Using a QCP-licensed woodworker and getting your project QCP-certified means you’ll:
- Establish client trust – build a good reputation and earn referrals by demonstrating top quality results for your architectural woodwork
- Produce excellent results – the quality of work and materials are independently verified by expert inspectors, so the standards and millwork consistency are assured
- Deliver high quality work – quality is not only consistent but improves over time. There is a continuous feedback loop established by the collaboration with QCP experts and inspectors
Avoid the risks of using unlicensed woodworkers. Find a QCP licensed woodworker for your next project today.
