Hiring a general contractor (GC) to help with a construction project is a smart way to ensure the project goes smoothly and efficiently. A general contractor is typically responsible for day-to-day oversight of the project, as well as quality control. Hiring the right GC is an important decision, so how can you be sure you are hiring the one who is the perfect fit for your project?

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Do Your Research

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure your GC is properly licensed and insured. In addition, you’ll want to find individuals who have experience with your specific type of project. Finding references and analyzing previously-completed projects can also be extremely beneficial. Make sure to talk with family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations too.

2. Conduct your own Interviews

After gathering a list of potential GCs, make a call to each of the prospects to talk to them personally. Ask questions like, “Have you completed projects of this size before?” “What is your experience with these kinds of projects?” “How long have you been working with your subcontractors and technicians?” The answers to these questions will help you determine the company’s reliability, expertise, and commitment to the job.

3. Ask for References

Ask your potential contractors for a list of previous clients. Reach out to these references and ask about the contractor’s service performance, quality, and timeliness. This is your opportunity to find out about the contractor’s characteristics firsthand.

4. Compare Bids

Ask all of your potential hires to break down the cost of the project. Compare the bids, and see how they would spend money on materials, labor, and other expenses. But don’t let the lower price be your only guide in the decision-making process. A lowball bid can mean the contractor is cutting corners or is desperate for work, neither of which are encouraging.

5. Put it in Writing

Sign a proposal before any work starts. Make sure to outline a contract that details every step of the project— cost, payment schedule, a projected start and end date, proof of liability insurance and a requirement for the contractor to get lien releases from his subcontractors (This will protect you if the contractor doesn’t pay his own bills.)

If you are currently searching for a general contractor for your construction or renovation project, keep MaintenX in mind. We have the expertise and organization to ensure your project goes smoothly and efficiently. To learn more about us and the services we offer, please call 855-751-0075.

In an effort to help preserve the environment, many building designers and architects are going green and incorporating ways to conserve energy in new construction projects. This practice, known as sustainable building design, is a trend that is on the rise and has the potential to improve your company’s profits. Green construction offers eco-friendly solutions to decrease energy consumption and improve the environment.

Here are a few trends in sustainable building design:

Many architects are incorporating alternative methods of generating energy into their building designs – such as solar panels and windmills. Using these renewable forms of energy, you can cut down on power use, reducing your power bills. Natural insulations and eco-friendly concrete alternatives are also large-scale changes that can help your building project go green.

In addition, you can take a number of smaller steps to make your operation more energy efficient. For example, new appliances are getting better – and many are getting closer to net-zero energy use. Whether you install eco-friendly refrigerators, washing machines or dishwashers, these products help conserve energy consumption. Self-adjusting thermostats can also save a business or homeowner on heating and cooling use and keep more money in your wallet.

Water efficiency can also help with sustainable building design. Installing low-flow water fixtures in bathrooms can reduce water consumption dramatically. Water reclamation systems allow a home or business owner to gather rainwater for use on the property. Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the roots of plants, rather than wasting it above the surface. These solutions for water efficiency continue to conserve and reuse water and are in high demand.

Sustainable building design is an increasingly popular practice for both businesses and homes alike. The demand for green building is on the rise and clients are clamoring for low energy use solutions in new construction. To learn more about these kinds of eco-friendly solutions and the maintenance services MaintenX offers, please call us at 855-751- 0075.

Creating a safe work environment is important for any business or company. Not only does this keep your employees out of harm’s way, but it also leads to higher productivity and lower long-term maintenance costs. To establish a danger-free atmosphere, all employees must commit to making safety a top priority.

Here are a few tips to increase the likelihood of a safe, productive work environment for your company:

First, it is important to assess the risks of the specific workplace. Every company is different, so it’s important to identify the specific hazards and dangers at your facility. A comprehensive evaluation will allow you to identify the risks to employees, and take steps to minimize or eliminate them. Develop a safety plan that covers protocols in the event of an accident or disaster.

Next, it’s important to make sure your employees are well-educated on safety plans and procedures. Proper training for all employees is crucial, especially if there is a high risk of injury in your industry. Even high-skilled and experienced workers need to be given instructions on how to perform the job in the safest possible manner.

Providing employees with the necessary tools, equipment and work gear goes hand in hand with proper training. You can’t expect your employees to take reasonable precautions in the job if you don’t provide them with the right tools. Investing in suitable safety glasses, steel-toed work boots or lined gloves is a lot more affordable than a trip to the emergency room.

Finally, make safety a part of your business. Show your employees you value their commitment to safety. And always continue to look for ways to improve the safety in your company and listen to employees’ suggestions as well.

At MaintenX, we are dedicated to ensuring equipment and facilities are safe for everyone. Our technicians hold skills and expertise in safe practices. To learn more about the services we offer and how we can help you with your own safety plans, please call us at 855-751- 0075.

Companies everywhere are looking for ways to be more energy efficient. Some enact energy-saving policies to save money. Others are looking to create sustainability programs and help the environment. Regardless of your reason, reducing your energy usage is a good idea.

As your company looks to use energy more efficiently, below are some top tips to consider:

One of the simplest and most obvious ways to be more energy efficient is to cut down on unnecessary uses of electricity. Make sure to turn off all energy-using devices – lights, fans, televisions and computers – when they are not in use. To take it a step further, install occupancy sensors to turn lights on and off automatically when someone enters or leaves a room. 

Another good practice, particularly in warm climates like Florida, is to manage the temperature of the air conditioning when no one is going to be in the facility for an extended period. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units are often the largest energy users for a business, so just a few degrees in temperature here and there can really save a lot.

Another great way to use energy more efficiently is to invest in new technology. New computers, TV’s and other devices have all been designed with energy efficiency in mind. Investing in new technology can be expensive, but it will save you energy costs in the long run. The same is true for lower output light bulbs and Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures that are high in performance and high in energy savings.

Ensuring all windows and air ducts are sealed is also crucial for energy efficiency. Small drafts or air leaks within the facility can result in a substantial lost in heating and cooling costs. Make sure to have proper air sealing to help the planet and your wallet.

If you’re looking to increase your facility’s energy efficiency, MaintenX can help. To learn more about how we can help your home or business through our maintenance services, please call us at 855-751- 0075.

During the last several decades, more and more businesses have started to take a closer look at their water usage and develop water management and conservation policies. Water is a vital resource for everyone on the planet – yet millions of people don’t have access to safe, clean water. Now more than ever, water needs to be treated as a precious resource and managed appropriately.

Developing a water management policy can not only help the planet but also improve your bottom line.

The first place to start is to understand exactly how much water your company uses. Once you have this baseline, you can determine some goals and targets to cut your water usage. To save water, you can make a few quick and simple changes that can have a big impact. For example:

• Consider sensor-operated fixtures that turn on and off automatically.
• Install green fixtures that can reduce the amount of water used.
• Convert to point-of- use, tankless hot water heating systems.
• Install water reclamation system to gather rain water for company use.
• Educate and inform your employees on the importance of water conservation.

By doing just a few things, you can do your part to conserve water and reduce cost. If you are looking for ways to manage your company’s water consumption, MaintenX can help. We have many trained experts who would be happy to assist you 24/7. For more information, please call us at 855-751- 0075.

When equipment fails in the workplace, your business can come to a complete stop. If the equipment is critical to your company’s operations, an extended equipment failure could even put you out of business completely.

Obviously, maintenance is an important part of keeping your equipment in top working order, but even with the best maintenance programs, equipment sometimes unexpectedly fails. So when this happens, what should you do? Here are some useful tips to help alleviate the problems caused by unforeseen machinery failure in your workplace:

First and foremost, you need to ensure the safety of your staff. Some equipment failures can make the workplace unsafe. Follow your equipment failure protocols and keep your staff out of harm’s way. Even an issue like a broken air conditioning system can lead to serious problems for your employees.

To help deal with the failure of a major piece of equipment, it’s important to have a plan and proper procedure in place well in advance of an incident to ensure you can get back to business quickly and painlessly. Develop a plan ahead of time because the steps taken at the onset of the equipment failure can mean the difference between a smooth recovery or a difficult one.

Next comes diagnosing the problem so you can determine what the appropriate fix will be. Many companies have an in-house maintenance team that can fix frequently-used machines. However, for equipment that supports the business, such as an air conditioning unit, electrical systems or plumbing, many companies look outside and hire a contractor. Finding the right contractor to do this work is imperative. You want a skilled and well-trained organization to make the repair correctly and quickly.

The team at MaintenX is made up of skilled and experienced technicians who are available 24/7 to repair any failed or damaged equipment to minimize your downtime and ensure that everything is working as intended. To learn more about the services we offer, please call us at 855-751- 0075.

It’s Saturday night in the middle of the dinner rush when your chef comes to tell you some bad news. The walk-in cooler has been operating well above 41 degrees for more than an hour. This could be a disaster, with loss of product and food safety liability.

This is the type of scenario that nightmares are made of!

Here are some great resources to prevent it happening to you:

 

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How Do You Prepare Your Restaurant’s HVAC and Refrigeration for the Summer Heat?

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Prepare to Prevent The Case for a Refrigeration Preventive Maintenance Program

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Learn more about:

• Types of refrigeration systems
• The importance of preventative maintenance
• Scope of Work Checklist

 
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