Who said the old way is the right way?… Certainly not TC Controls!

For decades, sub-contractors have been bidding to trade contractors, who bid to mechanical contractors, who then bid to a general contractor – too many layers!  With this many companies involved, you are bound to encounter communication challenges and higher prices as it passes hands. A break in communication means deadlines are skewed, site coordination becomes difficult, and the job site is cluttered with sub-contractors. This makes it hard to deliver a project on-time and on-budget while meeting the customer’s needs.

If you can relate to the difficulties of this process, then read on. We will discuss this from the owner’s perspective, then a contractor’s perspective, providing a picture that will help you make the right decision for your next project.

As an owner, you deserve to get exactly what you request. It should be on-time, within budget and be done in a way that represents your mission and values! Working with companies that offer owner direct services creates a more transparent process where accountability is clearly defined. You will not end up with a price that has been marked-up several times through the bid process. While this all sounds great, there are several things you should consider. When beginning this process, you should immediately vet the contractors offering their service. Ask questions like how they develop communication channels, project schedules, pricing, and ask for examples of their past work. This will set the relationship and project up for success and ensure you are able to truly partner with your hired team. If you are confident that you can source qualified contractors, you will save both money and time! Ultimately, you will build a trusted relationship with great contractors who understand your mission and values.

As a contractor, being able to work directly for the owner only works if you can sell and manage your own install. You must possess above average communication skills, take the time to understand the vision of the owner and come up with a solution that ensures their long-term success. In addition, you and your team must be accountable for the entire process; you will not have the option of finger pointing at a mechanical or general contractor! If you are confident with the points mentioned above, you will be able to do great work at a great margin, all while gaining a repeat customer!

Let us tie all this together with an example from the world of building automation (ATC). Often, the ATC contractor is the sub-contractor, suppling pricing directly to the mechanical contractor. This process works great for the owner and the GC as all responsibility of the building automation lies with the mechanical contractor.  However, what happens when the customer’s vision of the building automation system is not fully understood throughout the design, bid and construction stages? It like playing a game of telephone, the further down the line you go, the more tainted the information becomes.  The owner could be left with a system that is far from what they wanted.

Now what if you had the opportunity to work directly with an ATC?  With the right ATC, your vision could be actualized by directly empowering the professionals to design, bid, and construct precisely what you want.  Furthermore, you would have a direct line of communication with the ATC that has your best interest in mind. This is hugely important because the ATC is the last one to leave the job, ensuring that your systems are interacting and operating properly!

To summarize, there are many benefits to working direct, but you want to make sure it is the right option for you. There is a reason why general contractors and mechanical contractors still thrive to the day; they take responsibility for your project. You just need to be willing to pay for a quality team.

If you have any questions about this topic feel free to reach out to our team. TC Controls specializes in direct to owner building and cultivation automation systems. We partner with you, understand your vision, and deliver a solution that ensures your long-term success.