In last week’s blog I discussed my attending a seminar on Building for the “Church / Religious Market.” The facilitator discussed his belief that contractors who build churches need to be Christian-based firms, meaning firms that have Christ-like values.

What I found troubling was the facilitator is a member of an organization of church builders that offers assistance to churches that are looking to expand their facilities. That is a great service. However, it is a closed organization that divides up territories so members do not compete with one another. Members give each other awards, and certify each other as Certified Church Builders. 

One of our long-term clients is committed to safety. Our employees have specific safety training prior to beginning specific activities. Our competitor’s employees have extensive safety training certificates for any and all activities they may encounter. But we discovered that their safety certificates did not necessary mean they had completed the safety training – only that they had printed a safety training certificate.

Many cities and school districts are choosing to award contracts based on “best value” and not on low bid. Meaning: companies that want to compete on these contracts must show that they have completed similar projects in the past. But we have discovered that some companies submit projects that they did not complete.

These firms know exactly what you want, and claim they can deliver it. They have all the answers to your questions. The contractor sings the song you long to hear, and yet somehow your project ends up on the rocks.

Odysseus put cotton in his ears so the sirens’ song did not draw his ship onto the rocks. President Reagan made it clear: “trust, but verify.” If your project is important to you and your organization, it is worth a little extra time to verify your prospective contractor’s credentials.