TOP 10 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN EDMONTON COATING INSTALLER CONTRACTOR

Posted by Ryan Spotowski and categorized under CAFE Edmonton, Commercial Concrete Polishing, edmonton concrete, edmonton concrete coatings, Edmonton concrete repair, edmonton floor repair, floor coating edmonton, and polished concrete edmonton
Desco warehouse with employees discussing Edmonton coating installations and moving epoxy floor coatings material with a forklift

Choosing the correct contractor for your project is important. If you’re looking for a polished concrete contractor, concrete repair professional, or epoxy coating installer in Edmonton, these items all apply. Here’s 10 things to check for when hiring a contractor for your project:

1. A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION (COR) AND SAFETY PROGRAM

Does the contractor have a current Certificate of Recognition (COR) for their safety manual and safety program? Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) must have certified their safety program within the past three years for it to be valid. What steps are done to ensure their safety and your safety? The contractor should share their safety program with you. Desco has maintained a COR for over 20 years and has a weblink to our safety manual.

2. AGE OF THE COMPANY

How long has the company been around for? New companies come and go; they may offer you a lifetime warranty, but what good is it when they’re in receivership a few months later? Desco has been in business since 1956, making us one of the most experienced Edmonton coating installers.

3. EXPERIENCE WITH SIMILAR JOBS

Has your contractor done many jobs similar to yours? Or is this the first time he’s done a project over 10 000 square feet? Contractors may bite off more than they can chew without understanding the complexity of a large scale project. The reverse is also true: is the contractor suited to do a smaller job? Ask the contractor about past projects that are similar to yours.

4. AVAILABILITY OF EQUIPMENT

If something goes wrong on a job, will the contractor have the equipment to finish the job? Do they have mechanics that are capable of repairing broken equipment? If a piece of equipment breaks on the job, it might delay the whole jobs weeks or months if there is no available replacement. The reality of being a coating installer in Edmonton is that you might have to ship new equipment in from Europe, the United States, or Eastern Canada. Desco has a fleet of equipment with many pieces in duplicate, triplicate, and more. We have what we need and then some.

5. EXPERIENCE OF EMPLOYEES

How long have the employees been with the company? Are the employees experienced or inexperienced? Can the supervisors complete the job done quickly, efficiently, and up to your standards? The people involved in your project and their experience will make or break your project. Desco’s employees have over 400 years of service and experience at Desco. And many of them have many more years of experience in industry as well. Do the employees work directly for the company you’re hiring or will they be sub contractors or independent contractors? At Desco, all of our installers are employees.

6. WORKERS COMPENSATION BOARD COVERAGE & INSURANCE

Does the contractor carry insurance? Are they currently covered by the Workers Compensation Board? You could be financially responsible if they aren’t.

7. AVAILABILITY OF PERSONNEL

Does your contractor only work 9 to 5? Or are they willing to come in at odd hours to complete your job? Can they work with you to develop a schedule that works for everyone? If something goes wrong in the middle of the night, do you know who you can contact? You should be able to plan out a schedule with your contractor.

8. PAYMENT DUE UPON COMPLETION

On larger projects that last for months, monthly progress payments are typical. Be cautious of contractors who ask for payments upfront. Payment should only be due once the work is completed. Deposits are only for contractors with poor cashflow.

9. THEY’RE MORE FOCUSED ON GETTING THINGS RIGHT THAN GETTING A CHEQUE

If your contractor is rushing through the job and cutting corners, you’re going to have problems. You can hide a lot of things with a coat of paint and unless you know what problems arise as a job goes on, you may be in for a big surprise later on. Make sure the contractor is following the manufacturer’s specifications for installing a product, from preparation to final installation. Ask what products the contractor is using and how they install them. Learn about concrete surface profiles and why they’re important here.

10. THEY COME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a measure of how likely your past customers are to refer you to others. Customers who are 9/10 or 10/10 (highly likely) to refer your company to others are considered net promoters and scored at a 1. Customers who are 7/10 or 8/10 (neutral) to refer your company are neutral and scored a 0. Respondents who are 6/10 or lower are considered detractors and scored a -1. All of the respondents are averaged and you end up with a NPS. Desco has an NPS over 80 for the past 6 years; a high watermark that ranks us amongst some of the most trusted companies.

If you want to work with an Edmonton coating installer that meets all of these items, contact us.