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Constructing a Safe Office Place

Sarah Brooks

May 05, 2015

If you need to expand your small business office or if you're looking to redesign the current layout, you're going to need to hire a contractor to oversee the work.

Your contractor is your go-to person who will help you turn your vision into a reality and manage the work being done by the sub-contractors, or construction workers.

It can be difficult when it comes to getting the right team of construction workers in place for your job.

You want a company that will work hard, complete the job as soon as possible, charge the most reasonable price and be the least disruptive toward your office staff. While it might seem like you have a ton of options to choose from when hiring construction workers, your options might be more limited than you think.

The article "Is there a shortage of construction workers?" states that when the recession hit in 2008, the biggest industry that was affected was construction. Because of this impact, many former construction workers were forced to find jobs in other industries, leaving fewer options for you to choose from.

Find the Right Construction Workers for the Job

While there might be a shortage of construction workers, that doesn't mean you won't be able to find the right people to renovate or expand your small business office.

To get started, look at the following steps:

• Find and interview potential candidates - If you know any other small business owners or home owners who have recently remodeled, ask them if they can refer you to a contractor or construction worker. Usually, referrals are the way to go in the construction industry. Oftentimes, construction workers might take longer on a project then they originally tell you or they might not show up all together. If you can hire someone who you know is good and has a good track record, do it.
  
  
• Ask questions - Since your office could very well still have your employees working in it, it's important to ask the construction workers specific questions about the job so you know what to expect. Common questions include how long the renovations are expected to take, what their working hours will be, if noise will be a factor and if they recommend employees are not in the office during their working hours. Be specific with your questions and make sure to make it clear that you expect them to communicate with you throughout the entire process.
  
  
• Take safety into consideration - If you're knocking down walls, ripping up flooring and repainting the building, the safety of your employees needs to be taken into consideration. Construction zones are often dangerous without proper equipment or safety precautions, such as helmets. Paint fumes can also cause employees to become lightheaded or get a headache. If the working conditions will be even the slightest bit dangerous, see if you can rent a separate office space during the renovations or have your employees work from home.

Once the expansion or renovation of your office gets started, communicate with the construction workers daily to make sure they are scheduled to complete the job on time.

By hiring the right construction workers and taking safety into consideration, the job should be completed in a timely manner that allows your small business to get back to business.

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