If you are thinking of starting a manufacturing business in Louisiana, there are certain crucial factors that your contractor needs to be aware of. Your contractor needs to have the knowledge, flexibility, and experience to tackle facts like working with the terrain of the site you chose, the specialized needs of the product you will be manufacturing, etc.
Louisiana’s landscape and climate can be difficult to handle, so your contractor must have specialized knowledge of building manufacturing facilities there. Factors like these and more will determine which contractor you pick for your work.
1. The Contractor’s Past Experience
Before you select a contractor, you need to know about their work experience. Checking out their previous work record is ideal. There are some matters in construction work that only seasoned hands will know how to handle.
Experience can be crucial while working with a certain climate and type of land as well. Louisiana is filled with marshy lowlands. Many of these lands are in rural areas with bad roads. If you live in New Orleans or Baton Rouge, traveling to your manufacturing facility can be difficult if the roads leading to it are bad. You might even need to hire a heavy civil construction service to work with you if you get permission to make some infrastructural changes around the facility area.
A seasoned contractor who has worked in Louisiana can give you advice on how to manage terrain-related issues while building your manufacturing facility.
The next vital point after being able to handle the geographical location will be experienced with projects in the same industry. If you are building a chemical or petroleum manufacturing plant in Louisiana, which are some of the top local industries, the contractor you hire needs to be experienced in building such plants, otherwise, they will not be able to give you the best-finished facility.
2. Importance of References
Ask the contractor for references to see whether their past clients from New Orleans or any other area within Louisiana were satisfied with their work. If they are unwilling to share recommendations from previous clients or do not have any, it is better to not hire them.
Do some research on your own by calling the clients they claim to have worked for. If you get positive feedback from the previous employer you can consider hiring them as the contractor for your manufacturing project.
3. Transparent Bidding
Lowering the costs is a top priority when you start your business. People might want to hire a contractor who offers the lowest bidding, just so that you spend less money on the building of the facility. However, this can lead to lower quality. If you want to build a manufacturing facility for a successful business, you need a top-notch facility to aid it. Hence, trying to reduce costs by hiring a mediocre contractor is not a good idea.
Sometimes a low bid has plenty of hidden costs. Make sure the contractor you are hiring is completely transparent about all the costs. Hidden costs can exponentially increase the money you have to spend in total. The bidders should be clear and open about their costs so that you don’t have to face a large cost at the end of the project
4. Open Communication
Communication and reachability are crucial when you hire a contractor for your manufacturing facility project. Check whether a construction company will be open to questions, discussions, changes, etc. The line of communication needs to be open and clear, as you and your contractor need to interact frequently about the job.
See if the contractor is responsive from the very beginning. Are they picking up calls on time and getting back to you with answers, whenever you make inquiries? Are they being clear and open about their services, and helping you make an informed decision?
You need to be able to communicate well with your contractor. So, only pick one who listens to what you are asking for and is most likely to build your facility according to your requirement. They should be knowledgeable and be able to give you good advice on how to make your manufacturing facility more efficient. They should be prioritizing customer satisfaction, so, they must listen to what you say and deliver their service accordingly.
5. Are They Affiliated With Trade Association?
Construction Industry Trade Associations help maintain quality and provide certain amenities and support to the contractors. If your contractors are part of Associated Builders & Contractors or the Construction Leadership Network, they will have access to specialized training, discussions, etc.
These associations only accept companies that are good at what they do and are tirelessly working to stay sharp. A construction company that has affiliation to Trade Unions and necessary certifications will not just build your facility, but will also provide specialized services that will help ensure that you get the best your money can buy.
From advice on buying heavy equipment for your manufacturing facility to helping you with your expansion plans, they can aid you throughout the building process. Your contractor should be able to help you figure out your construction need and give you the necessary guidance you need to make decisions. Not being affiliated with a trade union can mean that they cannot fully deliver what they are promising.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking of making a good manufacturing facility, you need a top-notch contractor. Your contractor should be transparent with the costs and ready to communicate with you, whenever you need to talk. Find a company that is affiliated with a trade union, to ensure you get quality service.
