You expect to work with multiple contractors when you have a building project. This is particularly the case when you have a major excavation in the project. Note that very few building contractors have excavation as part of their in-house services. Apart from expertise, excavation also requires specialized and expensive equipment.
To ensure your project goes as planned, you must choose an excavation contractor carefully. Take time to evaluate the contractors and compare their offerings with others in the market. Here is a checklist to get an excavation contractor that suits your situation.
- Get References from Past Clients
While contractors can showcase their work through pictures on their websites, it doesn’t necessarily mean the projects were completed within the set timelines and budgets. That is why it is essential to get references from past clients.
References from previous or existing clients will give you an idea of how good the working relationship with the contractor would be. Talk to them for credibility, and they will tell you what to look out for.
- Check the Equipment
Is the contractor well equipped for your project? Some contractors are equipped for large projects, and others for smaller ones.
Evaluating the contractor’s equipment will help determine if the contractor can handle your project. For instance, if your project is located in an urban area, smaller equipment would be reasonable as they would be able to move around without damaging surrounding infrastructure, sewer lines and buried cables and water lines.
If you are looking to excavate large buildings, heavier equipment would be able to do the job within a reasonable timeline and effectively. The type of equipment will essentially tell you the kind of projects a contractor specializes in.
- Relevant Experience
You can only trust a contractor to handle the project to your satisfaction if they have relevant experience. It would be great if the contractor had at least a few years of experience working on projects like yours.
The crew’s experience also matters. You can get this information from the company’s profile. An excavator contractor will have a better capacity to handle projects of any size and nature if they have extensive experience.
- Insurance
Many uncertainties grace excavation projects. Human operators could get involved in accidents, or the heavy equipment could cause damage to underground cables.
Working with an insured excavation contractor saves you the headache of unexpected costs that could impede your project’s progress. Excavation companies with liability insurance can protect themselves from third-party and first-party damages, ensuring a smooth project for you.
Conclusion
When choosing an excavator contractor, don’t focus on the lowest price you can get in the market. The lowest price does not always mean the best service.
References are excellent as you will be linked with a contractor whose work has been tried and tested. Ensure that the company is equipped with the right machinery for the project. A contractor with relevant experience is also a plus as it increases your confidence in their ability to deliver.
