Tips for Choosing the Right Marine Contractor

Many businesses along the coast of North Carolina will at some point need to complete a marine construction project, whether it’s to upgrade their commercial boat lift or restore a damaged boardwalk. No matter what type of marine construction a commercial property needs, it is imperative that the business owner finds a professional marine contractor to ensure a job well done. However, areas of expertise vary between marine construction companies, which can make it difficult to know if your prospective contractor is the right choice for your project. 

In this blog, we will present you with some helpful tips on how to choose the right marine contractor for your commercial construction needs. You can contact our team of professional marine contractors at Northeastern Marine Construction  for more information on services in the Outer Banks area, and make sure to check out our commercial marine construction gallery to see photos of successful projects we’ve managed in Eastern North Carolina! 

Confirm The Contractor’s Area of Specialization

It might be obvious, but the first thing you want to do when searching for a marine contractor is to confirm that they specialize in coastal and freshwater construction services. Many inland contractors and general contractors do not have experience or industry intelligence comparable to that of a marine contractor. Specialized projects of a technically trained marine contractor may include jetties, boat lifts, seawalls, bulkheads, and many other necessary structures that your business may need. 

Moreover, building on land is vastly different from the processes involved in marine construction. From the technical features of designs and unique environmental factors to the specialized equipment involved in the construction and installation of coastal structures, you need to be confident that your contractor has the knowledge and experience required to select the right materials and execute project phases in a proper manner. 

Narrow Down Your List of Local Marine Construction Companies

In an area like Wanchese or Kill Devil Hills, you’ll find an overwhelming number of marine construction companies, and even more options when it comes to independent contractors. But quantity is not equal to quality, and marine contractors can vary drastically in the services they provide and the types of projects they are able to complete. First decide what kind of project you need or want for your business and then find marine construction professionals who can provide the work ethic to get it done. At Northeastern Marine Construction some of our specialties for commercial marine projects include (but are not limited to) observation decks, steel sheet piling installation, and barge and crane operations. 

Once you’ve chosen a shortlist of local companies that can provide project-specific services that match your requirements, you’re ready to move onto the next step in finding the right marine contractor.

Meet With Preferred Marine Contractors Near You

One of the most important elements in any contractor-client relationship is professional compatibility, and to determine whether a marine contractor is truly the best fit for your construction project, you’ll first need to evaluate whether you’ll work well together as people. Schedule a meeting or initial consultation with each marine construction company on your list. 

During your consultation ask them everything, remember that you are trying to find someone to provide for your construction needs. Example questions include; their professional experience, their work habits, the reputation of the company, their understanding of materials used in marine construction, and their general price points and fee structure for projects. Not only will this give you more insight into how they will approach your project, but it gives you the opportunity to understand them better as a person. 

You don’t want to work with a marine construction company if their employees don’t have a strong sense of professional integrity, so take the time to contact a marine contractor, it will be one of the most important factors in you making the right decision.

Insist On Quality Service From A Marine Construction Company

The bottom line of any marine construction project is not price, but instead the quality of the final product. Whether you’re in search of services for a major floating dock renovation or a steel seawall installation, you should insist on nothing but the best for your business. At Northeastern Marine Construction our team of professional marine contractors have been providing top-rated services for more than thirty years. Our dedication to quality workmanship is seen in our long history of successful projects and positive client reviews, but don’t just take our word for it — contact us today to get to know our team of experts, and get an idea of what we can do by exploring our large photo gallery of marine construction projects in the OBX.