Constructionline is at last paying dividends

Constructionline has raised its game, delivering a "real improvement" in service quality and a "dramatic rise" in registered contractors and public sector clients, according to the Local Government Task Force (LGTF).

In its initial report in June 2002, the LGTF called for a number of improvements needed to bring more users on board and to improve the efficiency of the service. Less than a year later, the LGTF's working party claims its recommendations have been substantially followed through, and the majority of its detailed suggestions implemented. These include:

* Access speeds for clients and contractors have been enhanced by the new website.

* The amount of out-of-date information on contractors is diminishing.

* Local advertising and other efforts have led to a rising proportion of "lower band" firms on the database.

Although the number of clients increased by 22% to 1,695 in the year to March 2003, actual client usage has decreased.

But Constructionline marketing assistant Paul Wynn said: "While usage has decreased, there has been a significant increase in the number of long lists produced, which indicates that clients are using the system as intended."

The total number of long lists produced in 2002 was 117,909, compared to 111,595 in 2001. The growth looks set to continue: 31,379 long lists were produced from Constructionline in the first quarter of 2003 compared to 29,251 in the first quarter of 2002.

Director Simon Kelleway admitted that there was some way to go yet, but said the register is "now in a stronger position than at any stage in its history".

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said it endorsed the conclusions of the report but felt it failed to address the proliferation of other pre-qualification schemes.

FMB director of external affairs Andrew Large said: "As it's a government initiative, we're disappointed that it hasn't been as fully reinforced by the government as we would have liked. The government needs to step in and say that it views Constructionline more favourably than other schemes."

National Federation of Builders chief executive Barry Stephens said: "There must be a means by which Quality Mark-registered firms can also be registered on Constructionline."

* The latest statistics for Quality Mark, up to 11 April 2003, show that 377 firms are registered; 618 firms are going through the assessment process; and the website has received 86,766 hits. The call centre has received 23,598 enquiries.