The judging process

Judging begins in July each year and continues, in total, for the next 18 months, enabling NHBC inspectors and the independent judges to fully assess site managers' work over an extended period of time.

38 site activities are scored

To ensure all sites are judged to the same criteria, a Pride In the Job marking sheet is used, which covers 38 site-management activities. Regional and Supreme Award winners are judged by a panel including industry experts who are independent of the NHBC.

Judging Timetable

Award Type	Announced	Judged By
Quality Awards	June	NHBC Inspectors, Inspection Managers and Regional Directors
Seal of Excellence Awards	September to November	NHBC Inspection Managers and Regional Directors
Regional Awards	September to November	Regional Judging Tour by panel made up of 2 NHBC Regional Directors and independent industry judge
Supreme Awards	January	Supreme Judging Tour by panel made up of two independent industry experts and chair of the panel, NHBC's Regional Director Richard Hartshorn

What it takes to be a winner

We have produced a DVD, 'The Judges' View', to provide practical advice on how to achieve the levels of excellence the judges are looking for. The DVD includes examples from award-winning sites and is available to order from our online shop.

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In the meantime, here are some examples of what the judges are looking for:

Consistency
Consistently high standards of site management shown through quality workmanship across all trades on site.

Leadership
Excellent leadership skills, reflected by a high level of morale and motivation on site.

Technical expertise
The ability to knowledgeably and skilfully resolve any issues on site, such as problematic ground conditions.

Interpretation
The ability to skilfully interpret drawings and specifications and successfully turn the designer's intention into reality.

Health and safety
Efficient health and safety controls in place and evidence that the welfare of all employees on site is considered.

The 'X factor'
The competition is intense and NHBC judges have to see something quite special to nominate a site manager for an award. From the standard of workmanship, to the welfare of staff, a site manager must get involved with every aspect on site and work to continually to raise standards.