Tips When Choosing Your Next Construction Contractor
April 14, 2021
Construction is an investment in your future. Regardless of what project needs to get done, you and your company will live with the results for years to come. That’s why it’s so important to pick the best skilled and accredited tradespeople to do your work. A well-constructed job looks great and will not cause any issues regardless of how much wear and tear it receives. A poor choice will result in the substandard workmanship that will cause expensive and time-consuming issues in the future. Because of the potential consequences, you need to be sure to choose wisely.
Finding the most qualified and reliable team to do your construction work is the outcome of good research, planning and selection. The time it takes to do your background research is the most important step to ensuring your jobs gets done smoothly and correctly. It is a smart investment of your time before you start building. Double Black Construction offers this advice to help you as you embark on your next project.
Research and gather information.
Start with personal word-of-mouth recommendations from acquaintances who have had similar work done. The key indicators to look for are honesty and transparency, honoring promises, fulfilling commitments, responsiveness to inquiries and privacy. The construction industry can involve many sub-contractors so ask the company if the team members undergo background checks. You’ll also want to learn about the level of training and certification. Check to see if the contractor is a member of a professional association that has standards or a code of ethics.
If you’re receiving multiple quotes, be sure they are each breaking down the phases of work and costs in the same way, so you are comparing “apples to apples”. Most people initially favour the lowest bid – especially if it’s drastically lower than others – but it may not necessarily be the best one. A severely undercut estimate may be a sign the contractor is cutting corners or does not understand your project’s full requirements.
Get the quotes in writing.
Don’t start any work without a written and signed contract that matches the details of the original quote – don’t leave any room for ambiguity or debate. Read and understand the contract completely – if you feel pressured into signing an agreement before you are ready, it may be a sign to move on to another company. It’s always a smart investment to have a lawyer review it, especially if the project cost is substantial. The contract should be specific: it should clearly outline contact information, start and finish dates, a detailed description of the exact work to be done, any material costs, payment arrangements and warranty information. It’s important to specify who is going to obtain any necessary building permits and who’s responsible for cleanup. Make sure all verbal promises are included in the contract. It’s good to know which work will be subcontracted and to get information on the subcontractors. Never sign an incomplete contract and don’t hesitate to questions if you do not understand any portion of it. Your contract needs to address future service issues and explain any warranty coverage. You want to know who’ll be responsible for follow-up repairs and how they will be handled.
Ask for references.
Recommendations to the quality of work is key. Ask the contractor for a list of recent clients and learn about the services they received and their overall experience with the contractor. Key indicators of trustworthiness are if the contractor completed the work on time and stayed on budget. Simply ask, “who you hire this company again?” Walk away if they say anything other than ‘yes’. Sometimes you may want to visit and inspect the contractor's work yourself.
Clarify building permits and any lien waiver.
Correct permits must be obtained before work can start on your project. The contractor will usually obtain the permits, but you’ll likely pay for them – be sure it’s explained in your contract. It’s a good idea to request that all final inspections be completed by the local building official prior to final payment. A mandatory ‘builders lien holdback’ applies in some Canadian provinces, so ensure you understand any financial obligations you may be liable for.
Create a payment schedule.
The contract should include construction benchmarks – a schedule of when certain portions of the construction will be completed by. This will help you keep track of overall progress. Your payments should align to these completion dates, so you are paying small amounts throughout the life of the project. Never pay in full up front. Your final payment should not be due until the work is complete and you have fully inspected it. Do not pay cash; make sure your cheque is written to a company, not an individual. Paying with a credit card not only provides you with reward points, it also gives you recourse should the job not be completed as stated in the contract.
Get a receipt and keep your contract.
Documenting the work in a folder for future reference is good practice and keeps all the necessary paperwork in one easy-to-assess location. Be sure to include a receipt marked “paid in full” when the job is completed, and after you’ve made your final payment. Keep your contract for future reference or if any questions arise after the work is complete.
Choosing the right construction partner is fundamental to your success
Double Black Construction provides this advice based on our extensive years of experience and because it’s part of our standard business practice. We’re happy to quote your next project and to provide testimonials from past clients and examples of our previous work. We’re transparent about our practices and use only certified material providers to offer you the assurance and exact results you want and need.
We’d love to work with you on your next construction project. Visit our Contact Us
page and Double Black Construction will provide you with a free consultation and quote.
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