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We wish to remind our members of the policy on company transparency as outlined in our Bulletin 2022-01. This policy was established to ensure that the public is not misled by the illusion of competition and to maintain the integrity of our profession.
Council has noticed that some companies have several historical or related companies with phone numbers directed to their active company. This has resulted in a lack of transparency with the public, leading to concerns where they thought they were getting independent estimates for work, but this was not the case.
To address this issue, we have set forth the following requirements:
Company Identification: When answering the phone or providing estimates, the current company name should be included in public responses. For instance, do not answer the phone as a generic "survey company". Instead, use the specific name of your company.
Online Presence: While it is recognized that former companies have a life of their own on the internet, over time companies should work to include the name of the current company providing the services on any advertising, yellow pages, etc. For example, if ABC Surveyor is now operated under BCD Surveyors Inc., this should be clearly stated.
Multiple Offices or Interests: It is also recognized that surveyors may have multiple offices or interests in multiple companies. While this is acceptable, if offices do not operate independently in terms of preparing estimates, they must identify their estimates as coming from the parent company. Where offices or companies prepare estimates independently, they must not share information on estimates among the companies.
We believe that these measures will enhance transparency and trust with the public, and we encourage all members to adhere to these guidelines. Let's work together to uphold the highest standards of our profession and ensure that we continue to serve the public with integrity and honesty.
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