Do you really want a low bidder to build your important project?
Not if low price is the only benefit that contractor gives you.
The typical chain reaction when low price is the only consideration in a construction project:
- Cheap price
- Quality cuts
- Supervision cuts
- Inspection cuts
- Cheap work
- Customer dissatisfaction
- Disputes
- Slow pay
- No pay
- Litigation
- Nobody wins but the lawyers!
The new priorities of an intelligent buyer of construction services:
- Quality
- Function
- Completion date
- Aesthetics
- Compliance with regulations
- Effective safety procedures
- Maintenance cost
- Energy cost
- Minimum stress
- Initial cost
Choosing a Contractor: A Checklist
- Look at both recent and past jobs.
- Talk to past customers.
- Check credit history and financial stability.
- Check payment reputation.
- Check safety record.
- Check litigation history.
- Meet with owners and the key employees
who will be managing your job.
- Look at job control techniques.
- Check current workload; can they really handle your job?
- Can you communicate openly with this contractor?
Advice Based on 21 Years in Construction
Choose your contractor carefully. You will live with the results of your decision for a long time.
