The Best Construction Companies in South Africa
Construction is an expensive investment. Therefore, it is important to invest wisely. Work with the best construction companies in South Africa. But how can you identify the best contractor to work with? We have compiled a list of 7 tips to help you identify the best construction company for your project.
Tip number 1: A good construction company will be present and reachable
If you have done a construction project using a bad company, you will understand the frustration of trying to get help. Especially via the phone or email. So before you sign up a new contractor, check and see how easy it is to reach them for help. If they keep passing you from one department to another for a simple query, then move on to the next construction company.
Tip number 2: The best construction companies will give honest prices
This may sound obvious. But it is not that obvious. Construction companies often try to make the most profit out of a project. While there is nothing wrong with making a profit, the best construction companies will keep their prices transparent. So when contracting a company to build your house, check if you are getting a fair price for the materials. If the prices for common materials eg. bricks are over-exaggerated, then you are being taken for a ride.
Tip number 3: The best companies are aware of new trends
Construction is changing fast. There are new technologies and tools being developed each year. For instance, currently, there are new methods of building affordable housing. So choose a construction company that knows the trends. Take time and look at their current projects. You will soon see the difference between the best and the average.
Tip number 4: The best companies don’t shy away from responsibility
If you have seen a construction site, you will know that construction can be messy. And that is why someone needs to be responsible for keeping the environment clean and intact. So check with your potential contractor. If they are not willing to tuck away things nicely before handing the project to you, then move on. Look for a contractor that is willing to take environmental responsibility.
Tip number 5: The best construction companies know about safety
Construction can be risky. So, a good construction company will have a proactive plan on how to reduce the risks. In fact, the best construction companies will keep a safety file. Therefore, before making a choice, ask your contractor if he has a safety file. If there is one, then take a look at it, and see if it covers all the areas of safety concern. This could help you separate the best from the average.
Tip number 6: Good construction companies add value
Often, the difference between the average and the best construction companies in the value addition. An average company will do the minimum possible to get the work done. But the best construction companies will seek to add value whenever possible. Value addition could involve things such as suggesting genuine savings tips to the client or even helping with municipality procedures.
Tip number 7: The track record of a good company says it all
Last but not least, check the track record of the construction company. A good starting point would be the company’s own website. Most construction companies in South Africa will display their completed projects on their websites. You can easily identify the best construction companies by the complexity and variety of projects they have completed successfully. In addition to this, the best construction companies will be trend-setters in new construction technologies. For instance, they should be expected to be aware of the latest technologies and materials for low-cost and affordable housing, etc.
Conclusion
While navigating the construction industry in South Africa, we hope that these seven points will help you make the best decision and pick the right contractor for your project. These points, as mentioned, are by no means complete, but it is our view that they will make your life and your choices easier.