- The Management
- Who are the owners/directors.
- What is their professional experience.
- What is their reputation in the community, both on the professional and personal levels?
- What is the quality of the technical and administrative staff they employ?
- What support does the Management give to the Project Management Team: (AutoCAD, Engineering and Shop Drawings, Procurement, Scheduling and Planning, etc.).
- The Experience
- What projects are completed.
- What projects are under construction.
- What is their specialty. What is their strength … and weakness.
- The Finance
- What banks do they deal with, and what status do they have with their bankers.
- What do their bankers say about their financial standing and reputation?
- The People they work for Their Clients
- Who are their previous and present clients?
- What do their clients say about:
- Their quality of work
- Their meeting of schedules
- Their professionalism
- Their cooperation
- Their response to warranty matters
- How do their clients compare them with other constructors?
- Will their previous clients work with them again?
- The People Who Work For Them: Their Sub-contractors and Major Suppliers
- Who are their major sub-contractors and suppliers?
- Are they satisfied with the relationship, and do they have any financial or technical problems with them?
- How do they value their relationship with this contractor, and do they classify them as professional and fair?
Summary
Finally, after you gather all this information, and before you make your decision, take some time to visit the offices of your prospective constructors, talk to the directors and to some key personnel and ask to visit some of the completed projects and projects under construction.
Now you are qualified to choose. Your investment is in safe hands.
Sincerely,
Ramzi B. Shami