10 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Self-Storage Construction Company
Introduction
When it comes to constructing self-storage facilities, the company's experience and expertise in this particular sector are paramount.
Not all construction companies are created equal, and a company specializing in residential or commercial construction might not necessarily have the right skill set to tackle a self-storage construction project.
At the very least, you’re going to want to see some degree of proof that the companies competing for your self-storage development have the ability to deliver what you need.
It’s not necessarily a case of ruling out a construction company that specializes in another area. Their ideas may very well be transferable between different types of storage facilities.
A company with a significant level of professional expertise in residential construction may be able to modify its usual approaches and deliver exactly what you need.
In fact, this is an excellent way of differentiating between a serious candidate and a non-starter: You express your needs for a self-storage project, and if they understand the assignment, they will deliver a concept that meets with your needs. This should be the minimum you expect from a team at a construction company.
Reputation and References for Building a Self-Storage Facility
Reputation matters a lot in the self-storage industry. Before you engage a self-storage construction company, make sure to do a thorough background check. Construction is a sector in which it is possible to make a lot of money, and there are two ways companies go about this.
One, they create viable self-storage projects across a period of years, and gain a reputation as a company that delivers on time and under budget, and as a result, their schedules are always filled with projects from people who understand what to look for in a construction company.
The second is worse: the company takes the money for the project and then builds something that is cheap and impermanent, and then they disappear.
Word of mouth counts for a lot in the construction industry, and nowhere more so than in the storage construction sector. You’re looking for a company that will take your brief and run with it, and the best way to be confident that you have the right company is to check up on the available options.
Look into the jobs they have done before, as far back as possible so that you can see how their older facilities have stood the test of time. Ask other people who have booked these companies what their experience was.
Not only will this give you confidence that they’re right for the job, but you’ll be able to mention that reference when looking to hire them, which will clue them in that you know what you’re looking for.
Financial Stability
The financial stability of a construction company is a key factor that you must consider when hiring them to take on a job as important as constructing safe storage facilities.
A company that isn’t financially stable may not be able to complete the job. Even if it does complete the construction, you have to wonder whether they have cut corners at any stage in order to get things signed off and bank the money; companies in poor financial condition will often try to take on more work than is advisable to pad their bottom line.
Anyone booking construction work can ill afford to hire people who might only half do the job. For a facility where security and certainty are so paramount, it’s even more vital that you hire trustworthy contractors.
Construction companies are expected to make at least a portion of their financial records available; on request if not as a matter of course.
It’s not rude or excessively prudent to ask them to show their accounts. You need to know they’ll complete the job, and if they’re going to struggle to pay their construction crews, this is a real concern. If they’re going to have difficulties raising the equipment to do a full job, that too is something you need to know about.
Ideally, you’ll have the choice to hire a company that has no cash flow problems, and you won’t need to worry about dealing with that. If you need to hire a more compromised company, you may at least be able to cover that in the agreement when hiring them - including clauses such as a specification that part of the fee must be ring-fenced to pay crews and buy equipment such as is needed to do the job to completion.
Bad things happen which can mean a loss of financial stability is not the contractor’s fault - companies who hire contractors may fail to pay, for one thing - but it doesn’t mean you don’t need to ensure your company is protected.
Quality of Work
Quality should be at the top of your list of considerations where any construction project is concerned. It is generally essential in any project, in fairness, but we can all think of situations where sometimes style trumps substance.
This can never be the case with a construction job, and doubly so when it’s a self-storage facility, where points of weakness are something you can’t ever afford. A construction company’s past record of quality is essential here.
If they have any failures in their past, you’re going to need to know why.
And even if there is a legitimate explanation for such failures, it’s still reasonable to look elsewhere if you have other options, because you need total peace of mind.
Any bid for a construction job is generally going to include examples of past work that the company is particularly proud of. These are certainly worth paying attention to, but they aren’t the only thing you should be evaluating.
Find out all you can about not only the jobs they are presenting to you as evidence but other ones that you can find out about. Have there been mistakes in their previous work? If so, how are those errors explained by the company?
You are duty-bound to be as diligent as it is possible to be with self storage units, because at the end of all this, self-storage customers are going to be entrusting their possessions to you. You need to know that you have made every effort to give them the peace of mind that self storage investment entails.
Communication
The communication between you and your self-storage construction company will play a crucial role in ensuring that confidence is at its highest.
At any point in the project - which can take months and even years to complete - you may want to know something, anything, about how the build is going, or whether something can be added or taken away.
Knowing this will have a direct impact on the smooth processing of the project, so it is essential to have open and quick lines of communication between yourself and the company building the facility.
Before you have even signed a contract for works to proceed, you can evaluate the communication of a potential construction partner.
Messages will pass back and forth between you and them, and how prompt they are in replying when it is needed will be instructive in figuring out how communicative they will be when you are working together.
That will be worth knowing because knowing when to change plans and when to move ahead with an existing one can be worth millions of dollars in the long run.
Licensing and Insurance
Another critical aspect to consider before hiring a self-storage construction company is whether it has the necessary licensing and insurance. The licensing assures you that the company is legally authorized to perform the construction work and that it adheres to all the necessary regulations and standards.
Equally important is the contractor’s insurance, which will protect you and your investment from any unforeseen circumstances or accidents that might occur during the construction or installation process. Make sure to verify these details, as it can be costly to rectify any issues arising from a lack of proper licensing or insurance.
Safety Record
The safety record of a self-storage construction company is another important factor to consider. A company with a strong commitment to safety demonstrates that it values its workers and has robust protocols in place to prevent accidents.
A company with a clean safety record is more likely to deliver a project that complies with all safety regulations, minimizing the cost and risk of future liabilities or costly rectifications.
More than this, the provision of a safe facility is fundamental to the reputation of a storage business. People want to know they are leaving their possessions in the care of a professional they know can be trusted; it is therefore essential that you are working with professionals you can trust; this is a chain that will only be as strong as its weakest link.
Timeline and Budget
The ability of a construction company to stick to the timeline and budget can make a significant difference to your project. Projects that run over time or over budget can result in added expenses and lost revenues. It's therefore essential to hire a company that is known for its timeliness and financial discipline.
An experienced self-storage construction company should be able to provide a realistic timeline and a detailed budget for pre construction of your self storage units' project. They should also be able, barring unforeseen circumstances, to come in on time and under budget for the self storage project - and offer concessions should they miss either of those targets.
After-Construction Services
The construction process doesn't end when the building is complete. After-construction services are equally important. These may include maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, ensuring your self-storage facility remains in top condition and continues to meet your customers' needs.
Some companies also offer guidance and support with operational aspects, like management software or security systems.
Partnering with a construction company or team that provides comprehensive after-construction services can help you keep your self-storage facility running smoothly and efficiently. It will also keep open lines of communication that can pay off should you wish to open another self storage space facility.
Green Building Practices for Self-Storage Facilities
As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, choosing a self-storage construction company that utilizes green building practices is a crucial factor. Sustainable construction methods not only reduce your facility's environmental footprint but can also result in long-term cost savings in areas such as energy and water consumption.
Check whether the construction company has any certifications from recognized environmental bodies, like the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and ask about their approach to sustainability.
Check out whether they can provide the space for future modifications that could allow for greener solutions, too - it will be illuminating to know what their thinking is on the topic of retrofits.
Conclusion
The decision to hire a self-storage construction company is one that should not be taken lightly. It’s a significant investment, and the quality of the work done will have long-term impacts on your business.
Thorough due diligence is key to selecting a reliable company that can deliver a quality self-storage facility on time and at a cost well within budget. While the process can be complex, keeping these factors in mind will ensure that you make a well-informed decision that will benefit your business for years to come.
Remember, the purpose of your self-storage facility is to provide a secure, accessible space for your customers to store their possessions.
By choosing the right construction company, you are taking the first, crucial step towards meeting this goal and creating a successful, reputable self-storage business.
And getting it right could mean success on this front as well as creating the conditions for future developments at other sites.