How do you know which contractor to choose?

Choosing the right contractor is proving to be a daunting task for most project developers. Holding everything the same, one would choose the one who quoted the lowest price. However, a cheaper quotation does not necessarily mean that it’s the right one for you.

Ironically, it also doesn’t mean that the one with the most expensive quotation knows what they are doing. So how do you know which contractor is the best for you.
• Legal requirements – Is the contractor that you intend to deal with, legally registered with the relevant authorities such as company registrar, revenue authority, social security authority and city/town council. While it may be easy to get away with certain legal requirements, it is important to note that construction work must be inspected and approved by the local authority and if the contractor you are dealing with, you risk not having your work inspected.
• Experience – It can be said that past success can be used to predict future success. Though not always the case, if a contractor has a proven track record, chances are that they will successfully execute your project and the opposite holds true.
• Team – The strength of a construction company is determined by the knowledge, experience and attitude of its human capital.
• Capacity/Equipment – depending on the magnitude and complexity of your project, there are certain minimum equipment requirements expected of a contractor, otherwise you risk giving your project to a tenderpreneur.
• References – Nothing beats a good word from another Client. You can save yourself a lot of headaches by simply asking for references.
•Is it a good fit – Is there compatibility between you and the organisation which you intend to work with. The organisation may be good but it’s important if you share the same values.