|
|
CHOOSING
A RIGHT CONTRACTOR
Forget the others, just call me! Only
Kidding! First, try to decide what you want. Organize a group from the association and do a walk-through. Do you want to patch and seal, resurface or have alternate bids for both? Are the pavement markings and carstops going to stay the same or do you want a new layout? The answers to these items will help you request a more informed bid instead of just saying, "we need black top." Once you have a general idea, open your Condo Management Magazine or the yellow pages and choose no less than three companies to call for estimates. Most companies should be able to meet you, estimate your lot, answer your questions and give you a written bid within one week. The most common complaint I hear is how hard is it to get someone to come out and make a bid.
After you have your three bids, compare notes. Are they each bidding the same square yardage of sealing, patching, paving, product application, pavement markings, signage, curbing
carstops, etc? If not, call them back to get a fair comparison for your association. Nothing is more aggravating at a meeting than everyone saying "well this guy bid this and this guy bid that..." and so on. Believe me: I was on my board for eight years.
Next, and I cannot stress this enough: check several references, check for insurance coverage and check the pavement contractor's licensing. Ask to see a past job and one currently in progress. The former is to see how the job held up and the latter is to see their equipment, employee presentation and work ethic. If the equipment and employees look shabby then chances are they are not going to care about the quality of work performed either.
After you have narrowed it down to the contractor you wish to use, call for a
meeting with them and the designated association members with whom the contractor will be obligated to coordinate. It is essential to establish one or two people to be in charge to eliminate confusion. Also, you do not want residents telling the workmen what to do. The contractor should be able to tell his superintendent and .employees that if there are any questions from residents to contact "Mr. Smith" on the board for any changes.
This keeps employees doing their jobs instead of wasting time answering questions and thus holding up the progress of your work. Be sure to coordinate with your contractor on how the work will be done: i.e. which phases or sections are to be completed on which dates. Always try to have a back-up plan for rain dates. Be sure your contractor takes care to barricade each area carefully. Safety is very important on all construction sites. Discuss these concerns with the contractor and/or any other special needs you may have. Discuss landscape, maintenance, garbage pick-up and sprinkler schedules. Consider residents' movement and/or home deliveries. Always give adequate prior notice to tenants for moving their vehicles so the contractor doesn't show up and have to "chase cars." He may leave and charge the association with a remobilization fee. Hidden costs over and above your contract can be avoided with a simple meeting of the minds before you ever start.
Once you have discussed all the above, items with the contractor of your choice, then sign the contract. It may seem like a lot of information to cover but it will safeguard the project if the association chooses the right paving contractor. |
Janice
M Riley-Potter is the owner of the Paving Lady in the Boynton
Beach, Fla
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
