By Wayne T. Hudson, LEED AP
Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” when it comes to hiring a contractor to do an energy upgrade? Do you think, why doesn’t this feel like an improvement? And where are the “savings” in my energy savings performance contract?
The key to avoiding such feelings (along with any inherent problems), and to getting the outcome you want to get from the contract or agreement, is to set expectations for the job.
It’s like the old saying about traveling: “If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?” In other words, if you don’t write down and share your goals for an upgrade with your contractor, there’s a very good chance you won’t achieve them.
Talk It Out
The first step to ensuring a good contractor experience is to establish requirements early. Before you start any work, meet with the contractor to discuss the possible outcomes of an energy audit, your plans for correcting any problems, your beliefs about using a contractor, etc. It’s also appropriate at this time to ask the contractor for recommendations, since he or she has expertise in this area and my be able to provide solutions for additional savings.
Next, outline the scope of the project. For instance, make sure you know and communicate what equipment you want to have (or think should be) repaired or removed, per your energy audit. And compare the project scope to the contractor’s bid, to make sure there are no gaps or misunderstandings.
Other things to consider reviewing before allowing the work to begin:
- Securing permits — Insist that the contractor knows what permits are needed and who should secure them.
- Start and completion dates — Are you and the contractor in agreement about when the project should begin and how long it should take?
- The impact of critical shutdowns — Know what will be out (ie, a chiller that’s being replaced) and for how long.
Take a little extra time to ensure that expectations — yours and your contractor’s — are understood and set before a project begins. Doing so will go a long way toward ensuring you get the best work from a contractor, and the best outcome from the work.
For additional information about ensuring you get the most from your energy performance contract, contact us.