From a small renovation to international high-rise

The Aboss 9-star system

Aboss Building Stars show which level and scale a building team can demonstrably handle. Every star must be earned. More stars mean more proven experience, a larger organisation, heavier responsibility and the capacity to carry out more complex projects. At every level, good craftsmanship remains the basis.

The years of experience mentioned are a guideline. Years alone do not earn stars. We look at the people who actually lead and carry out the project, their role in earlier projects and the quality of the result. So a new company can be led by very experienced building professionals. Conversely, an old company does not receive a high rating when the current team cannot demonstrate that experience.

What is assessed?

Every team is assessed on fixed elements:

1. Experience — has the team carried out comparable projects?
2. Technical quality — is the work built according to drawings, calculations and agreements?
3. Craftsmanship — are dimensions, materials, connections and finish good?
4. Organisation — are planning, purchasing, people and subcontractors well arranged?
5. Reliability — does the team keep its agreements and report problems in time?
6. Communication — is contact clear, respectful and professional?
7. Safety — is the building site organised safely and tidily?
8. Handover and aftercare — are outstanding points resolved correctly and within a reasonable time?
9. Client satisfaction — how did the client experience the whole process?

A fine finish cannot compensate for a technical defect or an unsafe situation. For every classification the team must perform sufficiently on all essential elements.

Stars are not bought. Stars are earned on the building site.

For clients

A renovation is an important investment. You want to know who you bring in, what the work will cost and who helps you when questions or problems arise.

ROMB is a structural engineering and building-design firm in Rotterdam. We understand what is on the drawing and what has to happen on the building site. From that practical experience — and with the Aboss Building Stars network — we select and assess contractors and building teams. You tell us what you want to build. We look at:

• which experience and specialists are needed;
• which scale and star classification fit the commission;
• whether the team is available and can handle your project;
• whether the offered price matches the work and desired quality;
• which drawings, calculations, permits and checks are needed.

You choose the contractor yourself. We make sure you can make that choice with more knowledge and confidence.

No anonymous price war

On open job platforms it is often about responding quickly, comparing prices and choosing based on profiles and reviews. The platform does not know your structure, does not check the execution automatically and does not automatically give a project-specific guarantee. We work differently: we know construction, look at the project, assess which team is suitable and can supervise the execution technically. The best balance of price, quality and reliability is central.

No race to the lowest price. Instead a fitting contractor, clear agreements and checks by building professionals.

From first plan to handover

ROMB can support you with:

• architectural design and drawing work;
• structural calculations and structural drawings;
• guidance through the environmental permit;
• selection of a fitting contractor via the Aboss Building Stars network;
• comparison and technical assessment of quotations;
• building checks at pre-agreed moments;
• recording of changes and additional work;
• assessment of handover points;
• technical support when a difference of opinion arises;
• organising specialist legal assistance when needed.

You know in advance which work is carried out, which checks take place and which costs are involved.

A guarantee that is on paper

A verbal promise is not enough. For the project the parties record in writing: who gives the guarantee; which work and building elements fall under the guarantee; how long the guarantee applies; which conditions and maintenance requirements apply; and how a defect is reported, investigated and repaired.

For selected high-quality projects a guarantee of up to 100 years can be agreed for predefined structural building elements. This applies only when the guarantee is recorded in writing before execution and confirmed after handover in a separate guarantee certificate.

The stars describe the proven level of the building team. The contract and the guarantee certificate describe your concrete rights.

Technical and legal support

Does uncertainty arise about the execution, payment, delay, additional work or handover? Then we help to record the technical facts, drawings, photos and agreements clearly. Where needed, specialist legal support can be organised. This way you stand stronger with a well-built technical file and clear communication.

For contractors and building teams

The Aboss Building Stars network expands with reliable contractors, trade specialists and complete building teams. We are not looking for sales talk, but for people who build carefully, keep their agreements and are proud of the result. The network consists of tradespeople and teams with backgrounds in the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Australia, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco and Russia. Different backgrounds, languages and building traditions come together around one requirement: quality on which we dare to put our name.

No complicated bidding platform

You do not have to fight against other contractors for the lowest price all the time. When your experience, capacity, working area and availability match a request, we put you directly in contact with the client. We bring serious project opportunities; you make clear agreements with the client and prove your quality during execution.

How you join the network

1. Show us who you are. Send your company name and registration details, working area and availability, specialisations and team composition, the experience of the responsible tradespeople and project management, photos and descriptions of completed projects, at least two verifiable references and details of relevant insurance.
2. Assessment of your team. We look at whether your organisation, experience and quality match our requirements and the projects for which we are looking for people. A team that passes the first selection gets the status Aboss Selected – assessment in progress.
3. A fitting project opportunity. When a suitable request is available, we introduce your team to the client. The commission, price, planning and responsibilities are recorded in writing.
4. Your work is assessed. During and after the project we look at execution, communication, planning, handover and client satisfaction.
5. Good work opens the door to new clients. After an excellent result your team can be classified and recommended again. This way your position within the network grows through proven performance.

We give opportunities. Your work determines how far you grow.

Support for building partners

As a building partner you can, depending on the agreed cooperation, make use of: architectural drawings and technical details, structural calculations, practical consultation on buildability, support with quotations, work descriptions and planning, help with recording changes and additional work, technical support in a dispute, building up a clear project file, and legal and contractual support. You concentrate on building; we help to organise the technical and contractual basis properly.

One system for every scale

An excellent tiler does not have to be able to build a hotel to earn recognition. That is why the stars are combined with clear specialisms. Examples:

• Aboss 2★ — Tiling and bathrooms
• Aboss 4★ — Complete home renovation
• Aboss 6★ — Apartment buildings and boutique hotels
• Aboss 8★ — International luxury projects and high-rise
• Aboss 9★ — International Master Building Team
• Aboss Master Craftsman — Restoration carpentry
• Aboss Master Craftsman — Natural stone and ornaments

This way the client sees not only how many stars a team has, but also where the team is genuinely strong.

Checks and transparency

With every published rating we state: the star classification, the checked specialisms, the project category and maximum proven scale, the relevant experience of the responsible people, the date of the last assessment and the basis on which the classification was granted.

A rating can be raised, maintained, temporarily suspended or lowered when new results give reason to. Complaints are investigated; the contractor gets the opportunity to respond. Technical facts and contractual responsibilities are assessed separately. For every project we make clear whether we act as advisor, designer, structural engineer, building supervisor, assessor or mediator.

From small job to landmark

The aim is a network in which every good craftsman can grow:

The official scale ends at 9 stars: the level of international master builders who can realise large luxury hotels, residential towers and prestigious developments.

Ready to build?

The Aboss Building Stars system is a rating and network programme by Aboss Bouwadvies. ROMB provides the architectural and structural design and guidance of your project from Rotterdam.