6 factors to consider when choosing a building contractor
03.2022
Learn how to choose a building contractor and achieve great results
Choosing a building contractor: 6 factor to consider
When it comes to deciding on the building firm or construction contractor to transform your project design from a dwg or similar file to bricks and mortar (or, should we say, stone and mortar), there are some rules of thumb to follow. It’s a choice that has many implications.
Here are 6 factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing your construction partner:
Specialised skills in the work you need done
Ensure that you will be working with qualified and experienced tradespeople, whether we are talking about joiners, builders, tile layers, plumbers, painters, electricians or floor layers.
Some firms have a team of specialists for each area while others may focus on just certain aspects. Having a one-stop shop is advantageous, as it should mean cost savings, better communication and, because there will be fewer different parties on site, there are also benefits in terms of reduced safety risk. However, you want to be sure that it is not a case of “Jack of all trades, master of none”.
Attention to detail and respect for the materials being used
Ideally you want to work with people who appreciate the beauty of the materials you have chosen and understand the importance of even the smallest detail of your design, rather than having a gung-ho approach that can result in a lack of finesse.
Reliability and availability
The smoothest projects generally have one clear point of contact from A to Z, who is on site and always available to deal quickly with any questions or issues, does not ignore your calls, and keeps you constantly in the loop.
This makes an enormous difference and avoids a lot of stress and frustration!
A respect for deadlines and budget
This goes without saying, however, it could be useful to look at the company’s track record and find out how they have fared in these aspects.
A detailed schedule with key dates should be provided so that you can monitor progress and any cost ramifications relating to delays or “unexpected surprises” should be clearly established.
You want to see a detailed budget that clearly specifies hourly costs, any additional tools or machinery that could impact on the budget and the price – and quality – of all materials that will be required.
Adherence to site safety regulations and conformity with any necessary certifications
In some countries, the client is considered to have ultimate responsibility for a worksite so it is imperative that the building partner provides all necessary paperwork and that their qualifications are up to date.
Portfolio and references
It goes without saying that it is fundamental to look at previous work so that you can get an idea of what a contractor has done in the past, the results and the process to achieve those results.
This also provides a basis for clarifying how the contractor addressed certain issues and how they found working with a particular material.
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