One of the key elements in any industrial construction project is finding the right contractor. The effort you put into planning and designing your project should be just as much as when you’re finding your project’s contractor as they will be the ones to see your project through its completion. Your current or usual contractor may not be the best one for the job, as some contractors specialize or are more qualified and equipped for a specific type of project than some.
So, to make sure that you find the best one for your project, here are things you should remember when selecting among your potential contractors:
Background and Experience
Once you have your list of potential contractors, it’s best to do your homework and check on their background. See if they’re new or experienced in the industry, and most of all, check if they’re legitimate. Not to say that newer contractors are less favorable, but experienced contractors who’ve had more similar projects completed would be more knowledgeable, less likely to commit common and avoidable mistakes, and would tend to keep the same level of quality and commitment in their work to protect their name and reputation. Hiring experienced contractors would mean less risk for your project, and would possibly mean faster and smoother execution.
Safety Record and Requirements
It’s important that your chosen contractor puts safety as their top priority and that they are properly equipped, trained, and possibly certified to meet industry safety standards and requirements. You can include their safety record during the background check of the company. Normally, you can access a contractor’s safety performance through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or your country’s similar health and safety agency. It’s also a good idea for you to review the contractor’s safety policies.
Expertise and Certifications
To expand further on the contractor’s background and experience, it’s vital for you to check if their certifications as well as to check if they indeed have the expertise or trained/certified staff to handle your particular project. It’s possible that you can find a contractor that has decades of experience but have no history or expertise when it comes to your particular construction project. For example, if a company is planning on constructing an aboveground storage tank (AST) that’s compliant to API 650 construction standards, they should find a contractor who is qualified and experienced in API 650 construction.
Reputation and Reviews
It’s not enough to check on the company’s website or hear what their representative has to say. It’s best for you to check out actual unbiased reviews from previous clients. Normally, you can check online for reviews and feedback, but it would be better if you could ask previous clients questions with regards to their performance and if any issues arose in the worksite.
Insurance
Your potential contractor should be able to provide information regarding their insurance, bonding capacity, as well as the stability as a firm. You’d want to make sure that your contractor won’t just disappear in the middle of the construction, or would no longer be around right after the project to work on maintenance.
Conclusion
It’s important to give as much attention and scrutiny in picking your project’s contractor as it is designing and planning your construction project. So make sure to keep these tips in mind when trying to find the right one and ensure that your project goes as planned and complies with the best quality and safety standards.
