Effective client-contractor relationships are built on trust and a mutual appreciation for the many factors that impact and influence the work at hand. One business that understands this dynamic is Austen Building Group who have leveraged Cm3 to improve their systems and processes to meet and exceed their clients’ expectations of safe and compliant work.

Since 2011, Austen Building Group has built a reputation as a trusted provider of HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and General Building services. The team are committed to delivering high-quality solutions tailored to the unique needs of their clients’ sites. With a strong focus on the Australian commercial, retail, and health sectors, their team of skilled professionals ensure that every job is executed with precision and care.

Austen Building Group joined Cm3 in 2018 after being invited by a state government healthcare client to meet their compliance requirements. Since joining, the group has leveraged Cm3’s platform and assessment service to identify and improve key components of their safety and compliance management systems and processes.

“Implementing Cm3 at Austen Building Group has significantly enhanced our safety & compliance management across our facility maintenance services. The platform’s streamlined approach ensures we not only meet but exceed safety standards, allowing us to consistently surpass client expectations. Cm3 has become an invaluable asset, enabling us to deliver high-quality services with greater confidence and reliability.”

Chris Hume
National Services Manager ‑ HVAC & Mechanical, Austen Building Group

Leveraging Cm3’s Assessment Service to Improve Compliance and Operational Efficiencies

The Cm3 prequalification process starts with the creation of a Business Risk Profile for a contractor based on the types of work that a business conducts. This, paired with requirements set by clients, shapes the type of assessment that a contractor must complete and evidence to upload, including insurances, licences, maintenance records, policies, and SWMS.

Cm3’s in-house team of Australian-based WHS-qualified Assessors review and evaluate submitted information from contractors. In doing this, they determine an informed judgement on their capabilities and preparedness to manage the risks associated with their work on clients’ sites. The assigned Assessor for a contractor stays with them throughout the process, providing tailored feedback, guidance, and suggestions for improvements. This process helps align the contractor’s safe work practices with client expectations and industry best practice.

Austen Building Group found this process valuable, as they engaged with their dedicated Assessor and leveraged the available templates and practical guidance material in the Cm3 Help Centre, to make improvements across their operations.

“Working with Cm3 has been an incredibly supportive experience for Austen Building Group. Their team was always available to answer our questions and assist us through the compliance process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.

The available templates were particularly valuable, allowing us to revisit and enhance our existing documentation for even greater compliance and operational efficiency. Their commitment to helping us succeed made all the difference, and we couldn’t be more pleased with Cm3.”

Chris Hume
National Services Manager ‑ HVAC & Mechanical, Austen Building Group

Additional Benefits for Contractors on Cm3

Beyond meeting their clients’ requirements on Cm3, there are numerous additional benefits to contractors on the Cm3 network.

Improving Systems & Processes

Like Austen Building Group, many contractors find the assessment process to be a valuable exercise in obtaining an independent review of their inhouse WHSE and governance processes. Contractors can then use the tailored feedback from their allocated Assessor, along with the practical guidance and templates Cm3 offers via the curated Cm3 Hep Centre and take the opportunity to implement improvements and efficiencies.

Using the Cm3 Badge

Cm3 is renowned for its robust system and thorough compliance assessment processes. Once a contractor achieves Cm3 Client Compliance they are issued with a Cm3 Certificate and can also showcase their Cm3 Client Compliance status on their website, collateral, and vehicles by requesting bumper stickers or logo files for their own design team to use.

Faster Tender Reponses

The Cm3 process is not dissimilar to the process by which organisations prequalify their contractors for tenders and can help streamline a contractor’s process for responding to them. When a client on Cm3 puts out a tender, contractors already on the platform will find it significantly easier to respond and qualify for the job, thanks to streamlined processes and prequalification advantages.

Additional Marketing Exposure

Each month, Cm3 highlights contractors in its newsletters, reaching tens of thousands of contacts. Additionally, a selection of contractors is featured on LinkedIn and Facebook along with their capabilities and areas of risk they have been assessed against on Cm3.

Finding Austen Building Group and Other Contractors on Cm3

Client organisations on Cm3 are given access to a powerful tool in the form of the Cm3 Marketplace. On the Cm3 Marketplace, clients can utilise search functions to find known contractors, or source new ones through factors such as:

  • Work types
  • Job types
  • Risk types, based on their Business Risk Profile selections
  • Supply Nation membership/status

Clients can then directly invite contractors to connect with their business and request any additional compliance documentation before engaging them for work.

Learn more about the Cm3 Marketplace and What Types of Contractors are on Cm3.