How to select a suitable contractor for your project

How to select a suitable contractor for your project

7 key points you cannot afford to miss 

BLOG POST : 13 Oct 2020 | Pernika Narayan | Director Architecture & Design NBMA 

Are you trying to select a contractor for your dream home, your office, or your renovation? Are you confused regarding turnkey contractors, labour contractors and civil contractors? Are you unsure whether one contractor can do the entire job, or whether you will need specialised sub-contractors? Will you need a separate contractor for interior finishing work?

The answer to each of these questions is different for different people. It will be specific to the nature of work, timeline and budget of your project. Its best to take expert opinion from your architect/ designer on the way forward.

Once you have decided what kind of contractor is needed, and shortlisted a few based on their references and quality of work, you can invite quotations for your project. Then comes the next step. How to evaluate these quotations? How to make sense of drastic price differences between two quotations received from different contractors, for the same job?

Here are 7 key points that you cannot afford to miss while comparing quotations from two contractors for architectural, interior or renovation work:

1. Is the scope clearly defined IN WRITING with both contractors? Remember – if it’s not written, it can be refuted.

2. What are the inclusions and exclusions? Are they the same in both quotations?

3. Are the material specifications promised by both agencies the same? This will require a detailed assessment of both quotations.

4. Are the conditions of contract being offered/accepted by both agencies the same?

5. Are the stages of payment for both agencies the same? The stages need to be fair and logical for both you and the contractor. Else the project can get stuck midway.

6. Are they accepting the same degree of accountability and liability (in writing)?

7. Is the level of expertise, experience and demonstrated capability the same? Is one capable of adding more value to your project than the other?

The best way to ensure that you are comparing apples to apples is by inviting agencies of similar calibre to quote against the same specifications and conditions of the contract document. Ask your design consultant with their technical expertise and experience to help you prepare this document, and take their help in assessing any deviations.

Have you faced any challenges during a project due to lack of clarity on any of these points?Was there any other factor that you considered in comparative assessment of questions, which helped you during your project?

Feel free to connect with us should you have any specific queries.