You want to build a new home, block of flats, office building or commercial property. You know how much you want to spend and you have a deadline for the project’s completion. The only thing left is the most important one, picking a builder.
Choosing the right construction company is often the difference between a successful project and a complete waste of time and resources. To help you make the right choice, we’ve listed 5 crucial factors you must keep in mind during your search.
- FIND A CONTRACTOR WITH THE RIGHT SPECIALIZATION
Construction is a very expansive field. To improve your chances of getting optimal results, it’d be smarter to hire a builder that has worked on a project similar to yours in the past. Are you trying to build a residential villa? Then it wouldn’t be prudent to hire a construction company that specializes in building hospitals.
They’d probably do an okay job for you, but they can’t offer the same level of expertise and specialized experience as a contractor that has handled the construction of 50+ residential villas in the past.
2. REVIEW PORTFOLIOS AND ASSESS THE QUALITY OF WORK
A builder’s portfolio shows you the level of quality to expect for your project. The best construction companies have a website that features some of their best works. Look through them and assess their skill level. If you remain unconvinced, you send the builder a quick message and request more samples.
Also, check reliable review websites for testimonials from the contractor’s past clients. See how they rank for time management, customer service and how well they take input from clients. These are common pain points between construction companies and their customers.
3. CONFIRM THAT THEY DELIVER ON TIME
As mentioned above, it is important to find online reviews that provide a first-hand assessment of what it was like working with a particular construction company. If you can, have a one-on-one conversation with past customers. You’ll be glad that you did.
Building is a cost-intensive project and it typically takes time. The last thing you want is a contractor that doesn’t adhere to the stated time frame. This will inevitably lead to a waste of resources.
4. ENSURE THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IS SAFETY-COMPLIANT
Safety compliance is another factor you can use to narrow down your initial list of construction companies. A contractor invested in keeping its workers safe and protected against workplace hazards may be trusted to act professionally at your construction site.
A workplace accident has the potential to shut down work at your site for months. You can avoid this by only working with builders that are compliant with safety best practices. When construction starts, it may also be prudent to insist on insurance cover.
5. DON’T FORGET CUSTOMER SERVICE
Hiring a construction company for your building project can be likened to entering into a short-term partnership. During those weeks, there will be a lot of correspondence between you and the builder. This is where good customer service comes in. You need a construction company that values your input, communicates effectively, and takes the time to address your concerns.
This factor will define how smooth and enjoyable the partnership will be for you. And remember, no matter what their website says, the only way to assess a builder’s customer service is to check online reviews and speak with past customers.
FINAL NOTE
If you want to embark on a building project in a city, the smart choice would be to apply the points above to construction companies close to you. If no builder in the area meets the criteria, widen your net gradually until you find one that does. It’s not always beneficial to bring in contractors from other cities when local construction companies can get the job done. The logistics alone would be a nightmare.
If, as you’re reading this, you need a builder for a home construction and renovation project in Gaborone, Botswana check out our services and see the level of quality to expect from us. For inquiries, send a quick message to info@renoworks.co.bw.
