The integrity of your commercial masonry is critical for the success of your business. If you need to hire a commercial masonry contractor, it’s important that you do your research and select a good fit who can not only help you with your existing problem but also serve as a resource going forward.
Everything from continuing maintenance on your building to a responsive expert who answers questions should come with any trustworthy masonry contractor. Here are some tips to consider when you’re deciding which commercial masonry contractor you should hire for your project in 2023.
Consider Their Reputation and References
For most people, the first place to start on their journey to find the right commercial masonry contractor is with their reputation. In some areas, one company stands head and shoulders above the others in terms of word of mouth. Other times, you’ll need to take to the internet to discover how the companies you’re considering have been reviewed by past clients.
Reputation goes beyond just stars on a website, though. Be sure to ask the company directly for references for their work. They may not be able to give you the contact information of their clients for privacy reasons, but they should at least be able to point you to public places where they have worked and explain what they did.
From there, you can contact the business or owner and ask about their experience with that masonry contractor. Look for reliability, timeliness, honesty, and long-term quality.
Check Their License and Insurance
Commercial facilities should never entrust their masonry work to a company that is not licensed, insured and bonded. Licensing ensures that the commercial masonry contractor is legitimate, and insurance safeguards your property against damages that could cost you money if accidents should happen.
Being bonded means that the contractor has gone through extra effort to acquire a surety bond, which is a guarantee that the work will be completed or that if something goes wrong, the claim will assuredly be paid.
Think About Experience and Specialty
While you should certainly rely on commercial masonry contractors who have positive reviews, even the most highly reviewed company might not be the right fit for you if the contractors do not have experience that is relevant to your project. For example, contractors who have only worked with brick may not do as good a job on a fully stucco building.
Be sure to consider the breadth of a contractor’s previous experience, as well as whether they specialize in certain facets of commercial masonry, before making your choice.
You can ask these questions directly to the masons themselves; a reputable company will be happy to share past projects that are similar to yours and explain how they overcame challenges and properly planned for a successful project.
Learn About Pricing and Estimates
Commercial masonry work is not always cheap, and it can be tempting to select the company that offers the lowest quote. However, quality often follows price, and there is a reason that some contractors charge more for the same services.
Be sure that the contractor actually appears at the prospective job site to evaluate conditions and learn more about your goals, concerns and vision. An over-the-phone quote cannot be properly accurate and means that the contractor is likely attempting to use cookie-cutter solutions that will not be customized to your building’s specific needs.
On the other hand, opting for the highest priced masonry contractor does not guarantee that you will receive the most competent work. Evaluating price and project estimates is meant to work alongside the other tips mentioned previously so that you can feel confident in the contractor you’ve chosen. If the price of a project is posing a challenge, ask the potential masonry partner if they offer any sort of financing options.
At the very least, they should be able to identify which parts of the project are the most critical and which can be delayed to offer your company some budgetary breathing room. Honesty is critical here—which means that you should be having this conversation with a company that has demonstrated such qualities earlier in your vetting process.
Work with Trustworthy Pros for the Long Term
It takes time and effort to find a commercial masonry contractor that you can trust—but once you do, you have a partner for life who can help you tackle not only your current project goals but also future tasks and even maintenance and repair.
Working with the same company over time creates consistent results, and at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration, we are happy to build long-term relationships with our clients. Reach out to learn more about the commercial masonry services we offer, our licensing and insurance status, past projects we have completed and more. We are happy to answer your questions.