As a plant engineer or owner who needs an industrial contractor, sizing up the options can be tough. Contractors all claim to have things like excellent safety records and fair prices, but that might not be the best way to evaluate your choices.

Consumers tend to measure some service providers not by what they are providing but rather by what they’re not providing. In that vein, there are characteristics that an industrial contractor should not possess. Here’s a short list.

1. On-the-fly approach. If an industrial contractor doesn’t have a detailed plan in place for your project, he’s not doing a good job. Everything related to your project should be planned out as thoroughly as possible so that your time and money aren’t wasted.

2. Habit of being late. You made it to work on time. Why should you allow the people working on your project to show up late? It’s simply unacceptable.

3. Tendency to underestimate jobs. When something unexpected happens, an overcharge can be necessary. Overcharges should not, however, be part of a contractor’s process.

4. A poor attitude. Some contractors show up on the job acting like they own the place. This sort of posturing doesn’t serve anyone’s needs except for his own ego. A contractor should always keep his client first. That’s the real bottom line in shopping around for a contractor. Try to be sure that the company you’re dealing with is doing everything it can to serve you, and then all the pieces will fall into place.