Hiring a commercial plumbing contractor for a new office, retail space, medical facility or other commercial building can be intimidating. With so many different companies and individuals claiming to be experts in this field, how do you know who to trust?Finding the right commercial plumbing contractor for your project can be challenging, especially if this is your first experience with this type of contractor. There are plenty of things to consider when interviewing commercial plumbing contractors, including how long they’ve been in business, their certification and licensing, and how they charge for their services. However, there are also many things you can do before the first phone call to make the process smoother for both parties. With these tips, you can streamline the entire process of finding the right commercial plumbing contractor for your needs, so you avoid common mistakes others make every day.
One of the first things you’ll need to do when you’re ready to hire a commercial plumbing contractor is to prepare ahead of time. This will help you avoid the last-minute rush, which can be stressful for everyone involved.If you have an architect or designer on your team, you can ask them to send you a list of recommendations for commercial plumbing contractors so you have a few people to choose from. If not, you can create a list of questions ahead of time based on the types of services you need for your project. This will help you focus your initial phone calls on finding the right commercial plumbing contractor for your needs.
One of the first things you’ll want to check when you’re interviewing potential commercial plumbing contractors is their certification and licensing. You’ll want to make sure they’re properly trained in the latest plumbing technologies and safety standards, so you don’t end up with a faulty plumbing system.If a contractor doesn’t have the proper certification and licensing, you could be at risk for hefty fines from the state and/or city government. This can be a costly mistake for both you and the contractor, so make sure you check with your local government before hiring anyone.
Another important part of the hiring process is asking potential commercial plumbing contractors for references and previous projects. You’ll want to speak with past clients to make sure they’re happy with the services they received and how much they’re willing to pay for the job.If you have a few potential contractors in mind, you can ask them if they’re willing to speak with you on the phone about their previous work. This will give you a chance to hear directly from the contractor without having to meet them in person.
This might sound obvious, but it’s something that many people forget to do when hiring a commercial plumbing contractor. If you don’t have a written contract, you don’t have any proof of the services you received or how much they cost.While this doesn’t mean you have to write a novel-length contract, you should at least have a basic outline of the services you’re receiving, the price you’re paying, and the date the project is expected to be finished. This will help protect you in the event of a dispute and make it easier for both parties to reach a resolution.
Finally, don’t forget to ask about warranties. While some contractors may not offer them, others do. Regardless of whether or not you get a warranty, it’s important to know what the terms are. This way, if something breaks down later, you can easily get it fixed. This is especially important if you’re working with an older building, where you may run into more issues than with newer properties. If you can, try to find a contractor with a solid reputation that offers extensive warranties.