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Personable
In essence, business is a social endeavour. Much like how you choose your friends, you also choose who you do business with. When meeting a contractor, be certain to understand the social characteristics and ethics of the individual and company. Moreover, if you take pride in quality work and want things done right, make sure you choose a professional contractor with credentials in the field, experience, and a vast knowledge of construction. Often, people who choose the most cost effective contractor lose (financially and functionally) in the end because they lacked; credentials, field experience and knowledge. At the end of the day, you will be working closely with the company’s personnel and trusting them with your financials for your investment so you need to be confident in who you choose to go with.
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System
It can not be stressed enough, never enter into a major renovation or new home build with a contractor who does not have some form of system in place for the project. Ideally, the contractor will have systems for each step of the process: consult, design, estimate, build; among many other processes involved in major construction projects. Some other important systems that should be in place are cost tracking during the project, financial budgets and extensive schedules to notify each stage of the project. Ultimately the better systems a contractor has, the more fluid and successful your project will be.
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Experience
Always ask your contractor what the firm’s experience and specialties are. How many years of experience do members of the firm have and what are the firm’s specialisations? For example here at Orange Renovations and Restorations we have specialists in architectural drafting, estimating and project management which encompass a holistic construction background. Try and target a contractor who specialises in your renovation of choice or who has a holistic background that ensures your project is on time and budget. Experience is only worthwhile if the contractor is perpetually reviewing and improving his craft.
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Relations with trades
One of the most beneficial aspects of hiring a contracting company to do your renovations or new home build is their relationship with sub trades and specialty tradesman. Often, after years or even decades of being in the industry, contracting companies have built established relations with specialty trades. This long term relationship creates a synergistic workflow and allows projects to be completed on time and on budget. Often, specialty trades are familiar to the management procedures and protocols of the general contractor and ultimately make the project more fluid. Next time you go to hire a general contractor in Ottawa, ask the organisation about their relationships with specialty trades to get better information on the success of the company.
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Organized
Contractors are supposed to be specialists at organization and management. Despite this necessity, many Ottawa contracting and renovation companies lack organizational practices that effectively manage a construction project. With good organizational habits and business rituals, contracting companies can take on multi-scalar and multiple projects at once. As long as the contracting company has deep rooted organizational habits, the project will be financially and systematically completed on time and on budget. Some of the benefits of organized contracting companies is increased communication regarding project details, punctual material delivery, trade liability and warranty coverage through historical data collection. For these reasons, an organized contracting company will keep the liability of the project in the construction teams hands and ensure you get warranties on all materials and labour provided with historical data references. Next time you are interviewing a contractor regarding an upcoming renovation project or custom home in Ottawa, please question the organizational habits of the company.
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Professionalism
In an industry where many fly-by-night companies work due to the low barrier to entry, it is pertinent that you look for professionalism in any construction contractor that you choose in Ottawa. Look for the company’s branding of individuals, how professional are the individuals representing the company? How do they handle themselves? Are they well spoken, do they take pride in their work? Are they sincerely interested in your project when you speak about details? Professionalism will completely change your experience with a contractor when renovating your home or building a new home. A contracting companies’ representation is often preceded by their performance. Take special consideration when hiring a general contractor in Ottawa and ensure that professionalism is at the top of the organization’s standards. Professionalism means, prompt response and communication, individuals who carry themselves well and display knowledge and passion for their craft. Additionally, professionalism is displayed by how much interest they take in your designated project.