Code of Ethics

Ethics

What’s fair is fair, right? ASPE members believe that the adherence to ethical business practices will result in greater success in the long run. How many times have you seen a contractor rise to prominence only to have his unethical business practices result in his failure a few years later?ASPE has developed a code of ethics to guide members in their dealings with others. Ethical practices are discussed at local chapter and regional meetings, in newsletters and magazines, and at our annual convention. An ASPE representative recently appeared on a PBS broadcast that focused on business ethics.

A primary ASPE goal is to define and publish estimating standards that, when properly employed, will produce reliable estimates in a uniformly recognizable format. Means, Richardson, and others publish unit price guides, but where can you go to find "how to" information on estimating? ASPE’s Standard Estimating Practice manuals provide just that for all sixteen CSI divisions. The standards provide not only basic and fundamental guidance in estimate preparation, but also include industry standards that are the basis for the certification of experienced estimators as Certified Professional Estimators (CPE’s). These standard estimating practices are developed and written by ASPE members in the language of estimators.

Basic Canons

Canon #1 - Professional estimators shall perform services in areas of their discipline and competence.

Canon #2 - Professional estimators shall continue to expand their professional capabilities through continuing education programs to better enable them to serve clients, employers and the industry.

Canon #3 - Professional estimators shall conduct themselves in a manner, which will promote cooperation and good relations among members of our profession and those directly related to our profession.

Canon #4 - Professional estimators shall safeguard and keep in confidence all knowledge of the business affairs and technical procedures of an employer or client.

Canon #5 - Professional estimators shall conduct themselves with integrity at all times and not knowingly or willingly enter into agreements that violate the laws of the United States of America or of the states in which they practice. They shall establish guidelines for setting forth prices and receiving quotations that are fair and equitable to all parties.

Canon #6 - Professional estimators shall utilize their education, years of experience and acquired skills in the preparation of each estimate or assignment with full commitment to make each estimate or assignment as detailed and accurate as their talents and abilities allow.

Canon #7 - Professional estimators shall not engage in the practice of "bid peddling" as defined by this code. This is a breach of moral and ethical standards, and this practice shall not be entered into by a member of this society.

Canon #8 - Professional estimators and those in training to be estimators shall not enter into any agreement that may be considered acts of collusion or conspiracy (bid rigging) with the implied or express purpose of defrauding clients. Acts of this type are in direct violation of the Code of Ethics of the American Society of Professional Estimators.

Canon #9 - Professional estimators and those in training to be estimators shall not participate in acts, such as the giving or receiving of gifts, that are intended to be or may be construed as being unlawful acts of bribery.