Whilst we like to think that all contractors administer the best possible work they’re capable of and provide a promised result – the reality can be much different. Sometimes the end result is subpar and can leave you regretting having wasted the time and funds on such a job. In these situations, it’s important to be able to reach the best possible solution. But the question is, how can that be achieved? Well, for today’s blog, we’re going to be explaining some basic research you should do before hiring a contractor as well as how an experienced building quantity surveyor can help you should something go wrong.
Know your options
It’s easy to be wowed by a contractor’s work online – whether it be a flashy Instagram page or a stylishly curated portfolio. But don’t let that be the controlling factor when making a decision. You need to dive deeper. Search the web for reviews – compare any negative reviews with positive ones and use common sense to deduce their viability. Use reverse Google image search to ensure the photos on their website are actually theirs and have been taken from someone else.
Contact them and ask specifically about what sort of job you need done and see if they have any experience with it and can provide some examples. Chatting with them and getting to know them is another good tip as you can sometimes learn what sort of a person they are and whether or not it’s someone you’d like to do business with. Word of mouth can be an advantageous source if you trust them enough. Similarly, you may also get in touch with one of our qualified quantity surveyors to see if they have any recommendations for your area.
Examples of subpar finishes
Whilst it is frowned upon, subpar finishes are not uncommon in the construction industry as contractors will often take shortcuts to achieve a more cost-effective and easier result. This could be to win tenders from potential clients by offering lower prices or for a different reason altogether. At the end of the day, you should always opt for a contractor you’re happy with – and, if they promise you a certain result, then it’s entirely on them to deliver it.
A subpar finish doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire job is botched – but it does mean that the end-product is not at the calibre of quality that was initially promised by the contractor. This could be something like a paint job that has streaks in it or wasn’t coated correctly – or, it could mean a noticeably unstable balcony or deck that could potentially be a health risk. Regardless of the degree of unacceptable craftsmanship – you’re going to want some sort of compensation for it, which is where our esteemed quantity surveyors come into the mix.
How a quantity surveyor can help you
If you’ve experienced a subpar job, then our quantity surveyors can help remedy the situation. Having worked in the industry for several years we understand how best to communicate with contractors and developers to ensure a fair solution is reached. The solutions themselves could vary from things such as a redo of the job or even a price deduction. In our experience, it is entirely possible for a modest fee to be deducted from the overall bill. In one instance, we were able to have $80,000 taken off of the final cost due to a less than desirable job having been done.
Are you looking for a building quantity surveyor for your project?
If you have an upcoming construction project, then why not hire a trained and professional quantity surveyor to help ensure your project runs smoothly. As a premium quantity surveying business, Section 94 is well-versed in matters such as:
- Guaranteeing accurate and high-quality construction budgets;
- Organising the bank prefunding process;
- Ensuring all section 94 reports are in order and ready to for NSW clients; and
- Creating progress drawdown reports and monitoring progress claims.
Because of our unique set of skills and remote working capabilities, we’re also positioned to help you with your construction project wherever you are in Australia. This means that even across states we can offer our amazing services in the same capacity as if we were right there beside you.
If you’d like to contact us to enquire about any of our services – then please feel free to give us a call on 0413 953 869 or send us an email at info@section94.com.au.