Domestic construction contractors and ISO 9000 registration

Statistical models for startup cost, annual cost and time required for registration were developed. No statistical model was found for predicting cost savings associated with ISO 9000 registration. The most important factor for all models was management experience in writing procedures. Companies with procedure-writing managers prior to ISO 9000 registration had lower startup costs, required less time to achieve registration and had lower costs for maintaining registration. Startup costs and time were not significantly different for ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 registrations, but ISO 9001 registration cost more to maintain. The number of registered firms in the US and Europe is growing rapidly. Reasons for registration are retention of market share, customer pressure, trade in the EC and desire to establish a functional quality management system. Construction contractors in Europe are seeking and obtaining ISO registration. The trend toward registration may soon affect US construction contractors. ISO 9000 registration will require significant commitment of time and money for domestic contractors. No other cost data are currently available for the domestic construction industry. Firms included in the study were US companies with ISO 9001 or ISO 9002 registration. The firms had registration scopes indicating a focus other than maintaining an assembly line or process flow line, such as design or manufacture of a custom product or provision of services. A profile of registrars and consultants experienced with construction contractors was developed. The cost models, profiles and a brief list of resources including books, software and audio and video tapes are combined in a simple computer program as a resource for US construction contractors pursuing ISO 9000 registration.