Look at certification before price. A low quote from a contractor without a work-at-height certificate, OHS certificate and insurance costs building management far more in the event of an accident. No work should be awarded without certificates, a written quote and a written contract.
Facade work is a field where the quality of what you bought is only visible after it is finished. The selection therefore has to interrogate the process, not the outcome.
Always ask for
- Work-at-height certificates issued in the names of the people who will actually be on the ropes, not in the company’s name.
- OHS certificate evidencing occupational health and safety training.
- Insurance policy. Ask in writing about professional liability and employer’s liability cover.
- A written, itemised quotation. A single line reading “facade cleaning: total X” leaves the door open for extras later.
- Tax and registry details. A contractor unable to issue an invoice creates further problems in corporate buildings.
Warning signs
- A firm price quoted over the phone without seeing the facade
- Deflection when certificates are requested
- No contract, cash only
- A quote markedly below market — usually a sign of uninsured work
- Being told the team works on a single rope, or no mention of a safety line at all
Comparing quotes properly
Quotes from different contractors are only comparable if they cover the same scope. Make sure each states the total area and surface type, the materials and method, the estimated duration and weather allowance, what is excluded, and the payment terms including whether any survey fee is credited.
The right way to ask for references
“Do you have references?” rarely helps. Ask concretely instead: which district, how many floors, what type of building, what was done and how long it took. A contractor who cannot answer that clearly will not be clear about your timeline either.
Frequently asked questions
Which certificates should I ask a facade contractor for?
Work-at-height certificates, an OHS certificate, professional and employer’s liability insurance, and tax and registry details. IRATA certification, where held, evidences conformity with the international standard.
Why is a very cheap facade quote risky?
Quotes markedly below market usually indicate uninsured or uncertified work. In an accident, the legal and financial exposure for building management far exceeds the saving.
How should facade quotes be compared?
Only quotes covering the same scope are comparable. Area, surface type, materials, duration, weather allowance, exclusions and payment terms should be written into each one.