Checklist Before You Contract An Extra Installer For a Project
When it comes to bringing an extra furniture or equipment installer on board for your project, it's crucial to ensure they are well-prepared for the job. Before making any commitments, make sure you know what level of skill and tools will be required for the project. Here's a handy checklist to go through before finalizing the hiring process:
1. Do they have the right skill set for the job?
First and foremost, verify that the installer possesses the necessary skill set needed for the job. Start by examining the scope of your project to determine the skills the installer will need throughout. Then make sure their skills align with the project's demands before hiring them, whether that be furniture assembly, equipment installation, office moves, pallet racking, manual labor, millwork, or any other office furniture related expertise. Also, once you’ve determined the skills needed for the project, you can watch out for overpaying someone too skilled. Try to avoid the pricey rate for an expert of 20 years when you just need someone moving boxes all day.
Consider that if there are additional specializations that aren’t exactly furniture related, you’ll need to specifically ask the installer if they’re capable. It’s not impossible to find furniture installers that can do work like low-voltage, plumbing, forklift driving, or crane operation. However, many installers don’t have that experience so you should never assume and always be careful to mention additional qualifications that are mandatory for the job. Companies will frequently use their own full time staff for the more advanced tasks.
2. Do they know the ‘when and where’ of the job?
A common issue that comes up with supplemental labor is miscommunications on simple details of the project. Ensure that the installer is well-informed ahead of time about the basic job details, including the dates, start and end times, and the project's location. The simplest reason the installer needs to have this information upfront is these details may change their availability. The wrong time or date could conflict with another project and they may say no to a job that’s too far away. Considering it can affect their attendance, confirming these details with the installer long before the project is essential.
Giving them the address is sometimes not enough; include directions for when they get to the site and where they’ll be meeting the foreman. Many have mistakenly not given enough information to the installer only to have him or her show up, wait in the wrong place for a long period of time, get frustrated, and go home just because he or she was in the wrong spot. Carefully communicating these details will prevent such simple misunderstandings and guarantee that everyone is in the right place at the right time.
3. Have you agreed on what you’re paying for?
It sounds obvious but it’s important to go over pricing when you’re getting an extra installer on your team. Are they charging for the job or the hour? Are you charged regardless if the job ends early or paying overtime rates if the job goes late? Do you have to compensate for travel to the site if it’s far from their home base? Is lunch included in the work hours and is there a minimum or maximum time frame for lunch? When and how can the installer expect to be paid? Many companies forget to clarify these points before hiring an extra installer, which leads to some awkward conversations after the project is over.
4. Are they bringing the tools they need?
It's essential to confirm that the installer has the tools required and can bring them for this project. Sometimes extra installers aren’t required to bring any of their own tools so they could very well show up with nothing if you’re not clear. Make sure to establish early on if they’re expected to bring power tools, extra batteries, specialty equipment, or any other instruments so they come fully equipped for the installation work. Even for the projects where all the needed tools are provided, it's not a bad habit to check what tools the installer can bring to get a soft impression of what tools they have experience using.
Pro tip: Make sure they know if they’ll need to bring their lunch. Especially for projects where you’re transporting the workers between sites. No one wants to work with a hungry installer who expected a nearby Burger King.
5. Are they bringing the proper attire for the job site?
Make sure the installer is aware of the appropriate attire for the job. Many jobs can’t start if the worker isn’t wearing protective gear, uniforms, or adhering to any dress code specific to the project site. This is especially important when the project has requirements like PPE because it could put the client at legal risk. Further, issues like derogatory words or symbols on attire could lose you future jobs with the client. The installer’s entire appearance should reflect a commitment to safety and professionalism.
6. Does the installer and the team lead have a way to contact each other?
It's vital to have the contact information of the foreman or the project manager readily available to the installer. The installer may need to contact the foreman for questions about location directions, any issues getting to the site on time, or any concerns following the project. At the same time, the team lead may need to contact the installer with changes to the location, start time or date, confirming specific tools or skill sets, or changes to any other project details. Many problems are avoided when proper contact information is exchanged long before the project.
By going through this checklist, you can ensure a seamless integration of the extra installer into your project. It establishes a solid foundation for collaboration, avoids potential hurdles, and sets the stage for a successful outcome.
This practical checklist will help you avoid the most common hurdles that come up before hiring a supplemental furniture installer. But is there a simpler way than checking this list and confirming all of these details with the installer every time you use one? Oh boy, is there.
Steady Install does this all for you!
The simplest way to take care of this entire checklist is to work with Steady Install when hiring supplemental installers.
Do they have the right skills for the job? Steady Install gives the ability to select the skill level needed for the job so you don’t get less experience than you need or pay for more experience than you want. You can also post all specialized or advanced skills needed for the job so you only pay for workers that confirm they’re capable.
Do they know the ‘when and where’ of the job? Communicate all details for the scope of the project, including the basic ones, on one simple online platform.
Have you agreed on what you’re paying for? Steady Install lets you skip these negotiations entirely with one simple hourly rate based on skill level.
Are they bringing the tools they need? The tools that are brought are mandated based on skill level so you’ll know exactly what they’ll bring long before the project starts.
Are they bringing the proper attire for the job site? Steady Install requires a base dress code and clients score workers based on professionalism. Additional safety attire requirements can be added to the project details.
Does the installer and the team lead have a way to contact each other? The simple online platform provides both parties with contact information for the other.
Simplify your process in hiring extra installers, skip this list completely, and let Steady Install do all the work for you.
Steady Install helps you hire the right supplemental worker for your projects including office furniture installation, equipment installation, pallet racking installation, office moving, FF&E projects, warehouse labor, millwork installation, assembly, and much more. Visit Steady Install today and sign up to start posting your office furniture installation projects!
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