Some Things to Look at to Determine Your Contractor's Level of Reliability
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Ensuring You Have Reliable Contractors

If you are a facility manager, chances are you hire contractors to do any kind of work on your property. It’s important that these vendors have the necessary experience and expertise to get the job done on time and within budget. So what can a facility manager do to ensure their database of contractors have superior vendor quality control?

The top 5 ways a facility manager can ensure they have reliable contractors is to start with online reviews, learn more about the vendor’s background, ask questions, determine if they’re proactive or reactive, and look for vendors who act more like a partner.

researching contractors, richmond vaCheck Online Reviews

Although the vendor’s website may claim they are the best in your area, you have to remember that they’re not going to highlight any negative feedback they’ve received. That’s why your first step in finding reliable contractors is to check online reviews. Use tools such as Yelp (it’s more than just restaurants!), Facebook reviews, and Google reviews to see what others are actually saying about them.

Note: if the brand has Facebook reviews turned off, that could be a huge red flag that they have something to hide.

Research Their Background

The next best way to find reliable contractors is to do some research, this time using their website to learn more about their credentials. Are they certified, licensed, & insured? Check references to see if they can confirm the vendor’s education and experience.

Ask Questions: Are They Transparent With Answers?

Here’s where you’ll start digging deep. By this point, you’ve probably made contact with the vendor (especially if you have references to check). Ask them questions that probe into their company best practices, such as:

  • How do you communicate with clients?
  • Do you warranty your work?
  • Are your team members employees or contractors?
  • Do you provide ongoing education for your team members?
  • How do you prioritize jobs?

That last one can be particularly revealing, as sometimes vendors take on more work than they can realistically handle.

Are They Proactive or Reactive

This tip is pretty simple: does the vendor offer maintenance plans or do they only fix issues? For example, an HVAC vendor may offer some kind of annual inspection. If they don’t, it means they’re a reactive firm and probably not someone you want to hire.

Look For a Partner

When we say partner, we’re not claiming that you will be their only client. However, the vendor should be able to know enough about your facility that, when they revisit for an annual inspection, they remember you, your equipment, and generally what they did last time they were there. Reliable contractors will partner with you in a way that shows they care about what goes on at your facility.

integrated facility management, orlando fl Reliable contractors are essential to your facility maintenance

As you know, reliable contractors are essential for a successful maintenance operation. If maintaining your facility seems like it’s a challenge, let us partner with you! From online reviews to identifying potential new vendors, LESCO360 will work with you through every step of the process. Contact us today to learn more!