The construction company you select will have an impact on how your project progresses and whether it reaches your goals. Take the time necessary to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each option you’re considering. Consider the following factors to help you narrow down your options and determine which companies or specialists are worth your time and money.
1. Their years of experience:
When putting out a contractor shortlist, consider how long they’ve been in business. Choosing a company that was founded only a year or two ago does not indicate that you will have problems. A contractor with decades of expertise, on the other hand, may provide you with peace of mind.
2. Ask for recommendations:
Contractor dissatisfaction can extend throughout the construction industry. That’s why it’s a good idea to get advice from people you trust when it comes to hiring contractors. For example, you could go to a networking event and casually mention the names of companies that interest you to watch how others react. You might perhaps be more straightforward and seek the advice of a colleague.
3. Confirm if they’re licensed and insured:
Contractor licenses and insurance requirements vary by state and locality. After confirming which organization in your area issues licenses, you can usually check a contractor’s licensure status by looking up information in an online database or calling the licensing entity. Then, in terms of insurance, ask the contractor or insurer for a certificate of coverage.
4. Their customer service:
The quality of your contractor’s customer service defines the difference between a project that is completed on time and one that suffers frequent setbacks due to a lack of coordination. Pay attention to the contractor’s initial conversations with you. What is the level of detail in the responses, and how rapidly do they arrive?
5. Their safety record:
Before hiring, do thorough research and look into a contractor’s safety record. One approach to do this is to look up inspections in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) database. You can look for inspection information for a certain establishment. It won’t go into detail about individual incidents, but it will cover things like accidents and complaints.
6. Your budget:
The total cost of a project is mentioned in a contracting proposal. A company makes a proposal, commonly known as a tender, after which you will review all of the bids before selecting a contractor. Work might go over budget for a variety of reasons, which is quite common. But still, it’s critical to establish a budget before diving into the crucial step of selecting a contractor.
