When you’re looking for a contractor to work on a major project like an industrial facility, commercial building, or medical facility, it’s paramount that you find the most trustworthy team possible for the job. In this case, trust means more than just the experience level of the people working on the building; it means that you know the contractor has presented themselves accurately and won’t become an overall liability to your project.

Knowing how to spot a contractor that may contribute to future problems isn’t easy when you don’t know what to look for, though. Anyone you work with should be able to meet a set of essential criteria that shows they’re prepared to take on the project, and if there are red flags that may indicate a high likelihood of poor results and untrustworthy business practices, you need to be able to spot them.

The list of requirements a contractor should meet before working with you on a major project is long, but three major ones may help you get an early sense of whether it makes sense to continue doing business with them: whether they have insurance that’s relevant to the work being done, whether they have references that can vouch for the results of their work, and whether they’re willing to obtain the necessary permits for the project.

Does the contractor have proof of appropriate, relevant insurance?

Given the nature of a construction work site, a lot can go wrong over the course of a project. Workers may face risks of physical harm, equipment or other important elements at the site may be damaged or destroyed, or any number of other factors may hamper your progress. These disruptions can become costly regardless of their exact nature, making insurance an absolute necessity before proceeding with any work.

Simply put, you shouldn’t hire an uninsured contractor for a large-scale construction project. But how can you know whether a contractor is insured? One of the first things to ask for is proof in the form of a copy of their policies, which should include coverage for things like general liability, workers’ compensation, and more. If they aren’t willing or able to provide a copy, it’s best to assume they simply don’t have it; even if they do, a reliable contractor will understand the critical importance of this part of the project and should have no issue showing you a copy.

Does the contractor have references?

Not every solid contractor will have a substantial number of reviews, but they should at least have references to indicate the quality of their work; a large-scale project should be trusted with an experienced team, and if a contractor is experienced, they should have no trouble providing you with references.

Additionally, you should look for references that are specifically relevant to the type of project they’d be working on with you to ensure that they’re familiar with what it takes to deliver high-quality results.

Will the contractor obtain permits for the project?

Any commercial, industrial, or other major construction project will necessarily involve obtaining a (likely substantial) number of permits to begin work. Any contractor you work with should be on top of this from an early point in the project and be the one to get those permits. If they ask you to do this, keep in mind that being the one to sign them puts full responsibility for anything that goes wrong as a result of their work on you.

Don’t settle for a contractor riddled with red flags

Are you looking for a Pacific Northwest client-first contractor you can count on to give you peace of mind and deliver top-quality results for your construction project? Then you’re looking for Christensen Contracting. Contact us to learn more about how we can help or to get a free quote.