As a property owner or RMC director, it’s your job to undertake regular maintenance and repair work in and around the apartment block, providing a safe and habitable living space for your tenants and other residents. You’ll be responsible for looking after communal areas, the interior and exterior of the building, and structural integrity. Many owners who rent out their properties undertake monthly or quarterly inspections to check for any damage or carry out repair jobs required in the flats.
If you notice a broken window or a plumbing issue, you’ll need to contact a professional contractor who can help you fix the problem. But with so many contractors out there, (not all of them reliable), this is easier said than done.
Having the right relationship with your contractor can make all the difference when it comes to the outcome of your renovation, repair, or maintenance job. At Habitare, we offer complete contractor management, working only with vetted and reliable contractors on our client’s apartment blocks.
Read on for some of the top questions to ask contractors before hiring.
1. How Many Years Of Experience Do You Have?
This is one of the most important questions to ask contractors before you hire them.
A contractor with more experience will be better suited to handle your apartment block’s diverse maintenance and repair needs. An inexperienced contractor is more likely to do a poor job, so you have to spend more to fix their errors or do additional work.
Additionally, someone with experience has a proper workflow process in place and knows the local market, making it easier to complete projects on time and within budget.
2. Does Your Company and the Works Have Proper License and Insurance?
Contractors in the UK need to be licensed and insured before they can work on any construction project. One of the essential questions to ask a commercial general contractor before hiring is whether they have the proper license and insurance for the job. To verify the legitimacy of a contractor, check if the company is registered with Companies House.
Some important accreditations to check for UK contractors include CHAS (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme), SMAS (Safety Management Advisory Services), and CAS (Common Assessment Standard).
UK contractors must also be insured with different policies, such as Employers’ Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.
If you’re getting gas lines fixed or installed, you should only work with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
3. What’s Your Payment Schedule?
This question should definitely be included in your contractor questionnaire. You should always negotiate pricing and have an estimated budget before you sign the contract.
Generally, you shouldn’t be expected to pay the entire sum upfront. Instead, you’ll make an initial down payment, follow it with a progress fee in the middle of the project, and then make the final payment once the work is completed.
You can use a project management or time-tracking tool to keep track of your expenses and schedule. A mutually agreeable payment schedule will help you maintain a good relationship with your contractor.
4. Can You Provide References?
Another of the most essential questions to ask contractors is to request a reference. By talking to a reference, you can gauge the quality of the contractor’s work, their performance, and satisfaction levels.
A reputable contractor will be happy to provide references to other apartment block managers or owners who requested a similar project.
Here are some questions to ask contractor referees (those providing the references)s:
- What kind of work did the contractor do on your property?
- Were they punctual and responsive?
- Did the contractor hire a subcontractor?
- Will you recommend them or hire them again?
- Did the project need any follow-up?
5. Do You Provide a Warranty or Guarantee for Your Work?
Fifth on this list of the key questions to ask a commercial general contractor before hiring them is whether they provide a warranty or guarantee for their work.
This warranty should cover the spare parts used and the workmanship and must be provided in writing. A verbal confirmation doesn’t hold in the court of law.
It’s important to understand that warranties won’t be valid if damage is caused by misuse. For instance, if a window breaks because your tenant didn’t fasten it during a storm, the warranty won’t hold. A warranty is also valid for a set period only, usually a year or two from the date of completion.
6. Will a Dedicated Team Work on All Future Projects?
When you’re hiring general contractors, it’s important to ask them if they’ll provide a dedicated team to work on your apartment block. This is especially helpful if you want to hire contractors on a long-term basis.
A team that works dedicatedly on your apartment block will know the specifications and nuances, and they will also be aware of any prior work or changes.
7. What is the Timeline for the Project?
As a property owner or RMC director, you’re responsible for overseeing any repair and maintenance work. It’s also your responsibility to make sure your residents have a safe and pleasant living experience and are not constantly bothered by the noise and dust related to construction projects.
It’s helpful to ask your contractors how long they’ll take to complete the work, as well as how long it’ll take them to clean up. When you know an estimated time, you can inform your residents, helping avoid any confrontations.
Contact Habitare for Complete Contractor Management
If you don’t have the time or patience to find and vet contractors, interview them, oversee their work, and ensure quality control, consider outsourcing these tasks to Habitaire.
We diligently follow a maintenance checklist for blocks of flats we manage, which involves undertaking regular inspections to identify any repair or renovation jobs needed. Habitaire offers contractor management services, working with reputable professionals who adhere to our Contractor Charter to ensure you receive professional, trustworthy, and exceptional services. Our team knows the right questions to ask contractors and their referees, as well as the steps to take to verify their accreditation and oversee the project while ensuring compliance with building codes. For more details, connect with us today.