Carpenter / mason / plumber / electrician
Confirm trade certificate is used in practice, quality of work delivered and ability to read drawings and meet deadlines.
For construction and civil engineering
Reference Checks for Construction
Construction has a complex workforce: permanent tradespeople, project managers, hired-in staff and foreign resources. HSE culture, trade certificates and reliable delivery are what separate a good hire from a costly mistake.
In construction a bad hire means more than poor productivity — it can mean workplace accidents, delayed handover and contractual penalties. Reference checks for construction must cover trade certificates and qualifications, HSE history, leadership on site and how reliable the candidate is on attendance and delivery. Referansio gives you a structured process that holds up to inspection by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and the principal.
Challenges
What separates a great hire from a costly mistake
HSE history and culture
Has the candidate been involved in near-misses or serious incidents? Do they consistently follow PPE requirements?
Trade certificate and qualifications
Confirm that central approvals, crane/forklift certificates and trade certificates are actually used in practice — not just on paper.
Reliability on attendance
Delays on a construction site cascade. Former site managers can confirm attendance patterns and communication on absence.
Leadership on site
Foremen and project managers must lead a team of varied trades and hired-in staff. References clarify actual leadership style.
Use cases
Roles we cover in this industry
Foreman
Verify leadership skills on the team, coordination with other trades and communication upward to project manager/principal.
Project / site manager
Check ability in budget control, schedule management, QA/HSE discipline and collaboration with architect and consultants.
Machine / crane operator
Confirm certificates in use, safety understanding and reliability on critical equipment — important for insurance and productivity.
Questions
Suggested questions for references
Industry-specific questions you can use as a starting point — customize in Referansio.
- How would you assess the candidate's HSE awareness and use of PPE?
- Has the candidate been involved in incidents or near-misses? How was it handled?
- How is the candidate's quality of work and ability to follow drawings?
- How does the candidate function in a team with other trades and hired-in staff?
- How reliable is the candidate on attendance and communication?
- Would you bring the candidate onto a new project?
Regulations
Legal framework for the construction industry
Section 3-1 of the Norwegian Working Environment Act requires the employer to operate systematic HSE work, and the regulation on safety, health and working environment on construction and civil engineering sites requires hired-in and employed staff to be qualified. Reference checks help you document that you have made a real assessment. GDPR also applies — questions must be relevant to the role, and data must be deleted after a reasonable time (typically 12 months). For foreign workers there are also requirements for site ID cards and verification of work permits — separate checks, but documented reference checks strengthen the overall assessment for inspections and public-sector contracts.
Process
Three simple steps
From new candidate to finished report — without manual follow-up.
Add candidate
Enter the candidate's name, role and referees. Takes under two minutes.
Collect responses
Referees receive a simple questionnaire and respond securely on mobile.
Generate report
AI analyses the responses and delivers a complete report with scores and insights.
Frequently asked questions
Other industries
See how Referansio fits other sectors.