The Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened to the Tacoma, Wash., public in 1940. At the time, it was the third-largest suspension bridge in the country and the first cable suspension bridge with plate girders as roadbed support. The bridge’s $6 million price tag charged by its contractors would equal $1 billion today.
Imagine how shocked the public was when the bridge buckled, swayed, and ultimately collapsed into the river below after only four months and seven days. No one suffered an injury, but the engineering flaws that caused the collapse launched an investigation into what went wrong.
The bridge is an extreme example of what can go wrong for a contractor, no matter how skilled they are. Here are three more of the most common contractor mistakes.
1. Hiring the Wrong Subcontractors
Once a one-person job becomes a two- or three-person job, the contractor will likely hire others to help complete the work. A professional contractor should ensure that those engaged have adequate work training.
Even then, the chance that a subcontractor takes a shortcut or forgets a critical step in the process is possible. Anyone hiring a contractor should make sure they have the opportunity to review the qualifications and certifications of any subcontractor, as well. Knowing who works on your property is part of responsible ownership and will provide greater peace of mind.
Beyond the information a contractor provides, customers can also visit online review sites to learn more about a professional working at their home or business. Reading reviews is a great way to get a general sense of past clients’ satisfaction with their work.
2. Accidentally Damaging a Home or Business
With any contracted work, accidents happen. A simple miscalculation, and the contractor could crack the wall with a 2-by-4 or worse. To help mitigate accidental damage, establish some ground rules for your contractor and anyone they hire.
- Agree on boundaries where the contractor can conduct work
- Establish specific rules such as wearing shoe protectors in the house or using a vent to expel dust from the home
- Consider renting a portable toilet if the work will take several days and all bathrooms are out of bounds
By agreeing on established ground rules, customers can lower the chances an accident will occur.
3. Not Carrying the Right Insurance
No contractor is immune to the unexpected. To protect themselves and their livelihood, contractors must ensure their business has coverage, and general liability insurance is the best tool to invest in. It provides coverage for both bodily harm and property damage when an accident is more than an embarrassing moment.
General liability coverage will also help protect contractors financially if they face a lawsuit. It will help cover attorney fees, court costs, and other legal expenses.
It also helps build a contractor’s reputation. Most potential customers will want to know that a contractor can cover the cost of any accidental damage, and potential employees will want to know they have protection if they suffer an unexpected injury.
Commodore
Commodore Insurance Services, Inc. (Commodore) is a California corporation that operates as a Managing General Agency and Program Manager. Since incorporating in 1990, Commodore has developed an expertise in the production and underwriting of insurance products for businesses across the West Coast. Our focus is on providing top-level insurance products to our clients while striving to make it easy to do business for our brokers. Try us and find out why we have continued to be successful for more than 27 years and are recognized as the trusted leader in small business insurance.
