Choosing a contractor to help you plan and execute your project is an important decision. A bad choice can cost you countless hours and cause you to spend more money than necessary. The right choice can make the process faster, more cost-effective, and easier.
Choosing the company with the lowest price can be tempting when evaluating your options.
A construction project can place many demands on a team. Things may not go as smoothly if there isn’t enough experience or the right people.
We have eight things you should look at when choosing a construction builders to work on your next project.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Past success is a good indicator of future success. A successful project that a construction company recently completed with similar elements to yours is a strong indicator of future success. They will have learned how to tackle the project effectively and what issues could arise.
First, determine the specific elements of your project to see which company is most experienced. Consider the scope and square footage of the project and the conditions in which it will be carried out. What are the types of spaces and rooms in the building? What is the size of the project? Is the project to be carried out in an existing building or a new one?
Make a list and then ask companies to give examples of projects they have completed. It is possible that the experience of your chosen partner may not be identical in all cases. However, it is important to know that they have successfully integrated similar elements into past projects.
PROJECT TEAM
The company’s project experience is important but the experience of those who will be managing your projects could be even more.
You want to identify the person who will manage your project day-to-day when you are choosing a construction company. Ask them for resumes of key personnel who will be leading your project, including past projects. This can vary but typically include the project executive, project/preconstruction manager, and superintendent. Resumes should list the previous projects and any professional designations.
You can evaluate which team has the most experience to help you choose.
TESTIMONIALS, REFERENCES, & REVIEWS
When evaluating them, it is important to look at what clients and business partners have to say about your options. You can get a sense of what it is like to work for the company by reviewing their reviews, references, and testimonials. You should look for references to their quality workmanship, collaborative approach, and willingness to solve problems as they arise.
Although it might take time to find these testimonials and references, speaking directly to past clients or business partners will give a good idea of the experience of working with a company.
RESPECT YOUR BUDGET
The best construction team should be able to deliver the most value for money. It can be risky to prioritize cost over all.
You need a team of construction professionals who are willing to work within your budget and consider the overall value.
It is important to look at bids holistically when evaluating them. You may need to dig deeper to determine why one bid is lower than the others. Is there something that the company didn’t do? Is the company cutting corners to get the job? Although selecting the team that offers the lowest bid may be tempting, it could lead to major headaches later. It is important to consider the costs of your project and other factors.
Here are five tips to request a bid.
Another cost factor is their willingness and ability to provide great value engineering. Value engineering does not just refer to making your project more affordable. This is a way to increase the value and efficiency of your project by removing or replacing items that aren’t necessary to achieve the real goal.
THEIR SUBCONTRACTORS
A successful construction project requires quality subcontractors. It is important to ensure that you choose a construction company with the best possible team to complete your project.
Partnering with a local construction team is advisable. They will be better informed about each company’s professionalism and quality of work. They must also have established relationships with subcontractors that they trust and use frequently. This can improve the project’s overall quality.
Your construction team should also have a plan to prequalify subcontractors, so that they are certain they are bringing a reliable company to your jobsite.
LICENSING, BONDING & INSURANCE
It is important to ensure that your contractors are licensed to perform work in your state. This can be checked by asking them to send a copy of their license with their qualification responses or proposal.
You should also make sure that your contractor is insured. This protects you if the company fails to finish the job or does it poorly.
Also, ensure that they have adequate liability and property damage insurance. In your proposal or request for qualifications, ask for certificates of insurance.
SAFETY
A project won’t succeed if your construction crew isn’t safe.
You need to have a clear understanding of the commitment to safety before hiring a construction crew. This can be seen through safety-related indicators such as EMR (Experience Modifier Ratio) and OSHA 300a and 300a logs.
The EMR of a company measures their likelihood of having an accident. It measures how likely they are to have one compared with industry standards. A company with an EMR of 1.0 indicates that their likelihood of experiencing an accident is close to the average. Any EMR below 1.0 indicates that they are less likely to have an incident, while anything above 1.0 suggests they are more likely to have one.
You can request a copy of the OSHA 300a and 300a forms to get a more detailed look. Personal information will not be redacted. These standard forms list any work-related injuries or illnesses.
Accidents can happen, even if the company is committed to safety. A company could still be safe and deliver great projects if they have a few accidents on their safety records. If accidents occur frequently or the same type of accidents happen repeatedly.
Ask for details on the company’s safety policy, and whether they have a safety officer. This is often a sign that a company values safety and takes measures to educate employees and implement safe programs.
UNDERSTANDING AND VALUING YOUR GOALS
You’ll be looking for the most important, but not least, quality in a construction crew: their commitment to understanding your vision and executing it.
It doesn’t matter what type of building you are creating or renovating. Every building decision will impact the overall character of your project and how the end-users interact with the building.
A construction company must understand your project’s goals, both long-term and short-term. They will be able guide you through the process and ensure that your project meets all of your needs.
Horst Construction will begin the construction process by understanding your project goals. This information will guide everything we do from preconstruction through project closeout.