How to Choose a Good Groundworks Contractor – What to Consider
How to Choose a Groundwork Services Provider
Choosing the right contractor for your groundwork project can be a tough decision. Cheapest is rarely best, but no one wants to pay over the odds. If you are using a groundwork contractor for the first time it pays dividends to carry out thorough research and get quotes from at least three contractors before making your final decision.
There are a few questions you can ask each of the groundwork contractors you speak to which will give you good insight into how they would fit into your project.
How much relevant experience does the groundworks company have?
A company with little experience may not be able to offer the same level of service as one which has been around for a long time. This is especially true of niche groundworks and unusual projects.
More pertinent than overall experience, is the type of groundworks each contractor has experience of. Some may have a particular niche; some will have more general experience. Finding a groundwork company who has worked on projects like yours is usually a bonus. That is not to say younger companies should not be considered, but the weight of experience is likely to mean the company which has been in business longer has dealt with similar projects before.
What other services do they offer?
The chances are that your project will require services related to groundworks. If you are working on a large scale commercial groundwork and foundation project these may include surfacing services and hard landscaping. If you are working on a domestic project you may also be looking for driveway or patio works. Save time and budget by finding a groundwork contractor who also offers these and other relevant services. Finding a groundwork company, you are happy with who also supply these services can help your project run more smoothly as they can organise their services without having to fit around other third-party contractors.
Do they have a good reputation?
The reputation of the groundworks contractors you speak to should be high up the list of key considerations.
They should be known for consistently high-quality services, materials, and customer service in order to be considered. You can easily check the reputation of your potential groundwork services company by visiting trusted review sites such as TrustPilot and CheckaTrade, as well as reviews on other parts of the web such as Facebook, Yell.com and Google reviews. The company may also have a testimonials page where you can read reviews of previous customers.
Where are they based?
While it’s not essential for your groundwork contractor of choice to be local, it helps. Most groundwork teams operate within a set radius of their base or HQ. There are a number of reasons for this but primarily they are time, and cost. Keeping things local means better efficiency due to decreased travel time, reduced material movement, easy access to stock and equipment, and a better understanding of the local area which is beneficial to both the contractor and the client.
What qualifications and accreditations do they hold?
When considering which groundwork and foundation companies to work with, ensure that safety and quality of work are of paramount importance to them. Check their qualifications, accreditations and insurance to help ensure you are hiring safe, competent workers.
Consider Axtell Surfacing & Groundworks for Your Next Project
Axtell has 30 years’ experience in commercial and domestic groundworks across the Guildford and Surrey area. With state-of-the-art machinery and hand-lay techniques, we work closely with you to ensure the groundworks project is completed to the highest standard to achieve your desired outcome, which sets us apart from other groundwork contractors in the area. No job is too big or too small, with a professional and skilled team we can also offer advice and guidance to make sure the project is done on time and within budget.
Start a conversation with Axtell to get advice or a quote for your next groundworks project.
