Hiring scaffolding contractors in Manchester isn’t always an easy task. The city is home to hundreds of different scaffolding companies, each with its own specialties and skillsets. As a homeowner or business owner, it can be difficult to know how to narrow down your search, or even where to start looking at all. With that in mind, here are four tips to help you find the right scaffolding company in Manchester for your needs and budget.
Choosing a scaffolding company
Find a company with insurance. At a minimum, your scaffolding company should have general liability and worker’s compensation coverage. Workers’ compensation insurance covers work-related injuries for employees. General liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that may be caused by an accident or negligence on your part or by one of your employees. If you’re working at heights over 20 feet, you should also consider purchasing additional umbrella liability coverage. Remember, when working on anything high up it’s important that you are taking safety precautions to protect yourself and others around you—that includes choosing a reputable scaffold service provider who will provide everything they need to complete their task safely and efficiently.
Things to look out for when choosing a scaffolding company
Do they have a website? Do they respond promptly? Do they have experience and references you can check out? Be sure to visit their site as soon as possible, because it will most likely be live by the time your contractor comes for an inspection. If it isn’t, that’s a red flag. You don’t want a fly-by-night company with little or no experience working on scaffolding without you knowing about it beforehand. You also don’t want them trying to hide something from you, so be vigilant! What is their business address? Look at their phone number as well; is it local or just forwarded from another city like London or Dublin?
Are you hiring an erector or installer?
When shopping for a Scaffolder Manchester contractor, there are a few key questions you should ask up front. Are they an erector or installer? Erectors install and dismantle scaffolding on-site, while installers do not (in most cases). While it’s possible some companies offer both services, it’s better to work with someone who specializes in your field. Otherwise, you run into quality issues and time issues: Good erectors can put up prefabricated structures quickly, which is generally better for your bottom line. Plus, it lets them focus on what they do best. Think of contractors like doctors: Doctors who spend all day seeing patients usually aren’t going to be performing medical procedures after hours! The same logic applies here.
Will they do an inspection?
Scaffolding contractors should offer a site survey and ask questions about your project. Some might even want to provide their own scaffolding for use onsite. This way, they can ensure it will fit in with your needs and is well-suited for whatever kind of work you need it for. They also may want to take a look at things like drainage or existing scaffolding so they have a good idea of what needs to be done onsite. Contractors who don’t offer an inspection probably aren’t going out of their way to take care of your business needs; think twice before hiring them.
Do they have insurance?
When choosing a scaffolding company, you may be tempted to consider only the price or service. While both of these things are important, it is important that you also make sure that any scaffolding company you choose has adequate insurance. These professionals can deal with many dangerous chemicals and sharp objects on a daily basis, so it is important that they are properly insured for all of their potential work-related injuries. Many scaffolders carry insurance for errors and omissions as well as general liability coverage. If a worker gets injured on your job site due to an equipment malfunction or other issues, those companies should cover their costs of treatment. It will also cover any legal action taken against them by the injured party.
Can they give references?
Ask your potential contractor for a list of references you can contact. If they’re willing to put their reputation on the line, chances are they’ll do an excellent job for you. If no references are provided and you’re working with a large company, check with your local Better Business Bureau for any existing complaints about that company’s workmanship. Also, ask your friends and neighbors if they know of anyone who has used any of these contractors before; if so, ask those people what kind of work they did and how it held up over time.
Do they offer any guarantees?
In most cases, you should be able to get at least a one-year guarantee, if not more. You should also look into what type of guarantee they offer—some are limited to parts, while others include labor. If something goes wrong with your scaffolding during its warranty period, it’s important that you know who will take care of it for you. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a project and realizing that you have no way of fixing a broken piece of equipment. One way around that issue is buying from a retailer that provides extra coverage—sometimes known as buy & repair contracts.