In the Netherlands a program for the enhancement of quality in the restoration of monumental buildings is presently carried out, stimulated by national authorities and coordinated by the foundation ERM. Guidelines are issued by the branches involved, from architects to masons, under guidance of an experts’ committee, to perform interventions on monuments and assess them. The aim of this paper is to discuss the contributions to the program offered by different actors active in the field of conservation, the existing synergies and the potential of using a common language and approach. These are needed to facilitate communication and exchange knowledge. The use of the terminology of MDCS (Monument Diagnosis and Conservation System) can help create a community of stakeholders. Sharing the damage terminology and methodology can help achieving a clear and systematic assessment of damage and its causes. It can further improve the communication among all stakeholders, including owners and laymen, stimulating cooperation, and can allow monitoring of damage and interventions.@en

A program on Professionalism has been started in the Netherlands aiming at enhancing the quality of interventions in monumental buildings, (listed monuments and historic buildings). Branches involved, like contractors and architects, create their own guidelines under the guidance of the Dutch foundation for a recognized restoration standard in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and sites. Guidelines for the condition assessment of monuments are partly based on those originally developed by Monumentenwacht. This organisation fulfils the task of advising both owners and provincial government. The inspectors also evaluate the work done by contractors, signalling poor executions. This paper analyses the contribution of Monumentenwacht to enhance the quality of the interventions. Case studies are used for discussing potentials and limits of their practice. The project ‘Monumentenwacht moves’, in co-operation with Delft University of Technology, aims at creating a uniformity in reporting and monitoring. This co-operation lies within the framework of synergistic activities in the field of monument conservation carried out by of various institutions.@en