When you are managing a piping project, what criteria do you use to select a contractor? Here is a list that may help you get started:
- Are they easy to do business with?
- Do they have the appropriate trade licenses? If so, can you see them? Are they current?
- Have they been in business for at least 10 years?
- Do they have adequate General Liability insurance and Excess Liability insurance? (Today’s standard is $2 million plus $5 million excess liability.)
- Will they supply credit references from their vendors?
- Do they do the design and construction with their own crews?
- Are they aware of and will they install the project to all city and state building codes?
- Can they supply you with current references?
- Will they be using first-class materials?
- Do they procure the necessary permits when required?
- How is their rapport with the LAHJ (Local Authority Having Jurisdiction)?
- What does their safety program look like? Will they provide you with a copy?
- Do their technicians have a 10-hour or 30-hour OSHA card?
- Do their technicians have CPR training?
- Do they provide 24/7 emergency service?
- How much experience do their technicians possess?
- Will they require much “babysitting”?
- What does their guarantee look like?
- How will you be communicating with them?
- Are they honest and trustworthy?
- Are they multi-disciplinary, i.e., able to provide a wide variety of services?
- Will they work around your schedule?
- Are they able to design and make changes “on the fly”?
- Do they really understand your needs?
- Will they make time for you, especially if all you need is advice?
- Do they know how to specify the right product for your application?
- Will they install a project that won’t work and that may put you and your facility in danger?
- Do they hold regular meetings with their employees to discuss situations and concerns that come up in the field?
- Will they leave their work area (i.e. your facility) neater than when they found it?
- Will they agree to be paid under normal terms (net 30 days or other negotiated timeframe)?
- Will they perform the warranty repairs, rather than require you to depend on the manufacturer to handle the problem?
- Will they use reputable wholesalers who will be there if there is a problem?
- How much of their revenues are based on repeat or recurring customers?
The last thing you want to do is hire the wrong contractor to provide your piping, HVAC and fire protection needs. Armed with this list, you can take the guesswork out of choosing the right partner. Have more questions? Drop us an email, psi@PipingSystemsIns.com or give us a call today at 508.644.2221.
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