Getting the right contractor at the beginning of a fit-out project is essential  - it’s the difference between an ultra-smooth project and one riddled with headaches. A good contractor will help you stay on schedule, work within your budget and deliver your vision. Conversely, picking the ‘wrong’ contractor can often lead to massive delays, extra expenses and a final destination that appears to be a long way from what was expected.

Part of the process of picking the best contractor for your specific project is asking the right questions. It gives you an insight into who you are dealing with and what you should expect. This process is about ensuring that you resonate with them, there is a mutual understanding and perhaps most importantly communication and expectation setting are on point.

Here are the five most important questions to ask your potential fit-out contractor in Dubai.

Question No. 1 What Kind of Experience Do You Have in Conducting Similar Projects?

When looking for a professional commercial fit-out contractor in the UAE, investigating previous work is a given. You need a contractor who has had experience with projects similar to yours. Ask for examples of the types of projects undertaken that are similar to yours. Experience of the style or perhaps in the building or community of your project mens the contractor is much more likely to understand what you are after and what challenges might pop up.

Always ask to see their portfolio and their case studies. Talk extensively about their experience of the exact thing you are looking to achieve. Probe and be bold. This is a key stage of choosing your contractor.

Question No. 2 What are the Estimated Timelines for the Project?

When do you need to be in and work backwards from there. Be realistic and this is where a good Project Manager can really add value. But find out from them when they can actually commence and when that realistically puts the end date. This is crucial in understanding how expectations will be set which of course helps with planning and execution. You also get the chance to understand what might slow things down and how they will handle them. Learn how they keep projects on track and what they do when unexpected stuff pops up. 

Question No. 3  How Do You Manage Budgets and Costs?

Budgeting and cost of the project is of course paramount. Ask the contractor how they will monitor the budget throughout the project. You want to avoid any type of surprise cost that might shock you. Make sure you understand when you need to pay and what's included in the price they gave you.

Also, ask how they are going to let you know when extra spending is required. A good contractor will have robust solutions for tracking spending and keeping things within budget. As well as for communicating when variations will happen.

Question No. 4 What Warranties Do You Provide and What Aftercare Services Do You Offer?

Be sure to ask what happens after the job's done. 

It's imperative to know what kind of help you can get if something goes wrong. A contractor who offers good support after a project is done shows he is proud of the work he has done and cares about keeping his customers satisfied. Ask how long their warranties are in effect, what they include, and what kind of assistance you can get if some sort of complication arises in the future.

Question No. 5 What is Your Approach toward Project Management (PM)?

When talking to contractors, ask about their approach to running the project. Ask them to describe their entire process, from these initial stages through to project completion. You should know how they plan all of it, how they do the actual work, and how they track progress. Find out who your primary point of contact will be and how often they'll update you.

A professional contractor will have a tight time-keeping program in place, managing processes, people and ensuring everyone is aware of what they need to be aware of. The other side of the coin is also important. Who will be project managing from your side as the client? If you are planning on doing it, be honest with yourself. Have you done this before? Do you know what’s actually going to happen? Are you capable of balancing this full time job with your other responsibilities? Logistically are you even going to be in the country? And depending on the answers to these questions, seriously consider employing a PM from your side to take care of everything.

Bottom Line

Want help finding the best commercial fit-out contractor in the UAE? Look no further; Contractors Direct is here to help. We’ve asked a lot of the above questions for you, so that you can evaluate the most suitable contractors for your project.

Through our online portal, we connect clients with professional contractors who can make their project shine. Just visit our website and let us know a little about what you might need. We will then introduce you to five fully-vetted contractors for your commercial fit-out services. 

You can pick the one that feels right for your project. 

If you have other questions in mind, don’t hesitate to give us a call. And if you're working out how much your fit-out might cost, we've got this pretty helpful Fit-out Cost Calculator tool for that.

Visit our website now!