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B & J Marine Group
Knoxville, Tennessee 37931
Phone: 865-202-6686 Fax: 888-314-3722 info@b-j-marinegroup.com www.B-J-MarineGroup.com
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| Frequently Asked Questions - B & J Marine Group |
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GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING A MARINE CONTRACTOR:
Most people who live or own a business on the water will, sooner or later, require the services of a marine contractor. Either to construct or repair a dock, boathouse or ramp, or shoreline erosion control structure. Careful selection of a knowledgeable and reputable marine contractor to perform the work will often determine the quality and success of the project. It is critically important to choose an experienced contractor with expertise in the type of project that is proposed. Not all marine contractors have expertise in all aspects of marine construction.
Selecting a Marine Contractor:
Most home or business owners would never hire a contractor to put a new roof on their home or build an addition to an existing place of business without first determining whether the contractor had ever performed such work before, Usually, the first contractor considered would not be hired unless the client was familiar with the contractor or knew and trusted someone who was. Some preliminary research into marine contractors will ultimately help to ensure the success of a coastal project.
Since the number of marine contractors working in this area is small, one of the easiest ways to obtain their names is to walk the shoreline where possible. Existing projects solving similar problems should be inspected and discussed with the owners regarding the company that did the construction. Questions to ask include: did the contractor have the proper equipment to successfully complete the project; were there any unusual problems during or subsequent to construction; how long has the project been in existence; and, is the owner satisfied with the way it has performed. Some, but not all marine contractors advertise in the yellow pages of local telephone books, others have web sites on the Internet.
After you have identified potential marine contractors that perform the sort of work being proposed, each should be contacted and provided with all the information you have concerning your project. Each should be invited to personally inspect the project site at separate times, with ample time being allowed for them to adequately review the project and present their company's capabilities. Question should be asked about price ranges for the various possible solutions, but the company representatives should not be told at this point how much is budgeted for the project. Reputable contractors will usually submit preliminary design specifications along with a price estimate for your consideration shortly after the initial site visit.
After carefully reviewing the plans, noting any questions or uncertainties, ask the contractor to explain the rationale for the proposed designs or the use of certain materials. Remember, an improperly designed structure can fail prematurely and create an additional expense in the future; it may even result in additional erosion at the site of the structure or at an adjacent site. Answers to these questions can provide useful insight into the contractor's training, experience, and knowledge of coastal construction. For example, if a design calls for the use of filter cloth, the contractor could be asked why. If a rock is proposed, the contractor could be asked why a particular size and type of stone has been selected. If answers to questions such as these sound ambiguous or lack credibility, serious consideration ought to be given to selecting another company for the project. Be sure to discuss the entire scope and cost of the project and the anticipated time schedule.
With regard to the price estimate, the contractor should fully explain what the estimate is based upon. An alternative would be to have the project designed by a professional engineer and let several contractors submit bids based on those specifications. Although this would be more costly, it would assure that all estimates are figured on the same design.
Finally, the contractor that is determined to have the greatest capabilities for completing the project in an acceptable manner should be selected. The decision should take into account the contractor's experience, reputation, special qualifications, personnel available, time schedule, and grasp of the project and any related problems. Do not automatically hire or exclude the company that gives the lowest estimate. Instead, look at the materials proposed for use, the design specifications, and the quality of service being offered. A poorly designed/constructed structure could require repair sooner than a better, more expensive project, resulting in greater long term cost. The details should be in a written contract for signature by both the client and the contractor. Although this process requires extra time and effort, future rebuilding or repair cost may be reduced substantially.
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