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At Cochran & Mann, we understand the importance of ensuring your commercial building looks ready to impress potential clients at all times. That’s why we are happy to provide our customers with quality commercial painting and wallcovering services.

However, sometimes you need to branch out and hire an additional company to meet your building maintenance needs. Here are five questions to ask before hiring a commercial craftsman.

Question #1: How Long Have You Been in Business?

One of the most important questions to ask a commercial contractor is how long they’ve been in business. However, a new company doesn’t always signify that there’s a problem with the craftsmanship or service provided. A better question, in this case, is to ask the amount of experience individual members of the organization have. In some cases, new firms hire highly skilled talent with two- or three-decades worth of experience, making them just as worthy of your business as some of the more established competitors.

Question #2: Are You Insured?

It is incredibly important to confirm that any and all contractors you work with have adequate liability insurance in case of an accident. Why? Imagine a scenario where a worker accidentally destroys an important piece of equipment in your office or inadvertently starts a fire while working at your building. If they have a policy in place, their insurance covers the cost of repairs. Furthermore, it is also important to ask the contractor to provide proof of coverage before deciding to hire them, as some companies state they have coverage when they really do not.

Question #3: Can You Provide References?

Another important question to ask when hiring a commercial contractor is whether or not they have a list of references. These should be customers who have worked with them in the past and have some idea of the quality of their work. In some cases, a company’s references might already be other people and companies you know. If a contractor hesitates on providing this information, this could signify a potential problem or issue in the past with their service. You can also check online to see if they have a decent rating from the Better Business Bureau or your area’s registrar of contractors.

Question #4: How Much Training Do Your Employees Receive?

This question is related to the one about how long they’ve been in business but goes a little bit deeper. By asking how much training the contractor’s employees receive, you can ensure that only the most skilled workers are handling your project. This might not be as important for small jobs, like adding flowers to a front breezeway. But larger ones — like HVAC, plumbing, or mechanical work — all require special certifications and training.

Question #5: Do You Offer Written Estimates?

If you’re hiring a commercial contractor, it is incredibly important to make sure you get all estimates in writing. Most reputable firms have no problem providing project quotes on paper, but there are still a few companies with less than stellar reputations for saying one price and changing it later on down the road. Before signing any contracts, make sure each item is spelled out on the estimate and that the rates match up.

In short, the most important thing you can do to protect your company when hiring a commercial contractor is to ask plenty of questions. By making sure you’re learning a bit about the company, talking to references about the quality of their work, and getting all estimates in writing, you can ensure you’re choosing the right group for the job.

Looking for commercial painting or wall covering services? Please contact our friendly and experienced Cochran & Mann team today to discuss your project needs.