The choice of a good construction contractor is always important, but even more so when it comes to carrying out work while having to maintain functional operations. As you know, construction and food requirements do not necessarily “mix well”!
Here is a short guide to help you find the right general contractor for your agri-food building construction or renovation project.
How to choose the right general contractor for complex work
During your research, take care to evaluate each of the identified contractors according to these criteria:
- Compliance with its registration;
- Its expertise in agri-food;
- Its experiences for similar projects;
- Its financial capacity:
- Its references
Compliance with its registration:
First, is the industrial building general contractor a member in good standing of the RBQ (Régie du Bâtiment du Québec)? To ensure an industrial plant renovation done according to government standards, it is essential.
Its expertise in agri-food:
Second, is it an industrial construction project in the agri-food sector? If so, it is essential that the selected general contractor has a very good knowledge of the industry’s regulatory requirements (BRC, HACCP, GFSI, SQF, etc.). Building an agri-food plant may seem simple, but in reality, there are many details to know such as:
- The choice and methods of laying materials;
- The preparation of the layout plan to eliminate crossings;
- The design of so-called “invisible” elements such as plant ventilation, underground drainage, floor slopes, to name a few.
Its experiences for similar projects
An experienced general contractor will be able to properly manage the project and pay all the necessary attention to carry out the work while keeping production activities operational. To succeed in reconciling the expansion and/or renovation work without stopping the production line, the general contractor, like Frare Gallant, must first listen to its client to specifically understand their needs and analyze all possible avenues before starting execution.
Sound project management will notably ensure to:
- Clearly define the scope of work and the means available for execution;
- Make an exemplary planning of the work taking into account the constraints of its client (operational production requirements);
- Perfectly communicate to the various stakeholders of the client the proposed program and above all adapt to the constraints;
- Organize the site in a way to control the risks of contamination that may be caused by the work (examples: circumscribe and seal the work site, ensure negative ventilation of the work area, keep the site and traffic areas clean and organized to free up other sectors of the plant and thus avoid interrupting operations during renovations.
In your research, you will also see that some industrial building constructors offer services and have specialized expertise in emergency work (24 hours/7 days). This is a good sign of a general contractor who is able to organize work efficiently, even in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Its financial capacity:
The choice of a business partner is important, and even more so if they will accompany you for a long time and will take all necessary means to ensure the quality of execution. You will have understood that the execution of the work according to strict rules and processes is essential to minimize the risks of either unintentional production interruptions or, even worse, contamination of the premises!!!
References
Therefore, do not hesitate to ask your targeted contractor to present you with a list of similar projects that have been completed as well as references. Do not limit yourself to consulting clients to know their level of satisfaction with the work the contractor has done. Their comments will speak volumes and will possibly reassure you and confirm your choice!
Finally, the choice of the contractor could also be based on other elements such as:
- Their sensitivity to environmental respect;
- The ability of the members of their team to propose alternatives to reduce the cost of completion;
- The project management tools available to the contractor;
- The contractor’s knowledge of your operations and their requirements;
- The ability of your contractor to reconcile building and production equipment
Choosing your general contractor means ensuring that they comply with standards, that they are as safe as possible and that they offer a range of services varied enough to meet your needs. At Frare Gallant, a general contractor for 40 years, our experience, services and attentiveness ensure optimal management of your industrial construction project carried out according to the strictest industry standards.