GUIDE TO CONTRACTING A BUILDING COMPANY
The daily life of a manager is often defined by personal relationships with a client. In this situation, I usually encounter the state of fear that this presents when choosing a construction company. In this context I have appreciated the following feelings in this respect:
- On the one hand you can perceive the illusion and the eagerness to undertake the project of your life: a house, a place, a business, …, actions to which one ventures on occasions and that involve a great effort psychic, economic, and great commitment in its execution.
- On the other hand, the fears and fears when facing the phase to carry out this operation. With whom to execute this work? Some client has even used the term “I’m scared” to define this situation. The state of the construction sector, negative experiences of some known and the media, rightly accentuate, this moment.
The present article, humbly intends and from my experience, to provide a series of guidelines and advice to help in making this important decision.
THE AGENTS THAT INTERVENE
In the first place, it should be mentioned that in every construction project of a certain scale involved three agents:
- The promoter: the client for whom the construction is executed.
- Project managers: qualified technicians who design and supervise the project during its execution.
- The builder: company in charge of carrying out the project.
It should be noted that the relationship of these three agents must be impeccable to carry out the work successfully. The experiences in which one of the parties disagrees, end up with deficiencies and translate into negative results in some aspect: qualities, terms, economy, malaise, … etc. Logically, the promoter does not have to understand certain technical aspects, so it must delegate the same in the other two parts; but if you know your personal situation and preferences, and therefore you must participate in the decisions.
Regarding project managers and builders, experience confirms that they must work together from the pre-hiring phase. In this sense, it is important that the construction company has technicians. In this way the design and execution are analyzed in parallel and both parties can bring the experience in their sector. This procedure allows to limit the execution in all its aspects: materials, qualities, terms, economy. A sincere and transparent relationship with the objective of executing a quality product that satisfies the needs of the client must have that previous phase, and in the same the terms to be carried out will be defined later. All the actions carried out by us in this way have resulted in the satisfaction and positive experience of all the participants.
The previous phase should be performed even before hiring and is the only way to avoid unforeseen and negative experiences, and of course, must have the approval of the three agents.
VISIT WORKS EXECUTED OR IN PROGRESS
Once the above aspects are defined, it is advisable to visit some construction carried out by the company chosen to carry out the project. This visit allows observing the parameters of execution of this company, and if you have contact with the promoter of this action, it will be possible to catalog the degree of relationship between the two parties. A cordial, pleasant and trusting relationship allows us to gain the experience of someone who has already gone through that situation and to witness to the new affected peace and confidence. I remember Alberto at this moment, a client to whom we have built a detached house. From time to time and taking advantage of his generosity I raise some incursion to his house. A smile and a hug are his way of greeting. Nothing better describes a job well done than the satisfaction of a previous client.
REVIEW OF THE DOCUMENTATION
Another point to consider in a construction company is the updated layout of the documentation. Being aware of payments with the Tax Agency, Social Security and the registration in the Register of Accredited Companies, as well as the corresponding civil liability insurance are elements that must be checked and that any solvent company will be happy to show unabashedly.
CONTRACT
Once the above data has been clarified, the contractual formalization must be carried out. It should define the intervening parties, the budget with the units contemplated, qualities and deadlines. It should be mentioned that the current legislation contemplates a series of responsibilities for the agents involved in the action, so in case of non-compliance it is tacit to know that there is a higher standard that protects the affected party.
START OF EXECUTION
The next step is the start of the execution and this phase should be lived as a pleasant experience and you must complete a stage of a person’s life. If we follow the guidelines described in this article, experience has taught us that the result satisfies all the agents. Some unexpected situation may arise, but the willingness and capacity of the parties involved will allow the successful solution and the guarantee of the construction of a quality product.
