There are many reasons why you may find yourself in need of a road marking company. Whether you are giving your business car park a face lift or fixing a nasty pothole on a private road. Road marking companies offer a range of services and solutions, some that you might not have even considered and choosing the right provider for you can seem daunting.
Here are some of the most important questions we believe you should be asking yourself when choosing the right road marking company for your particular needs.
Experience and Reputation
Whatever kind of service you’re looking for, reputation is one of the most important factors to investigate even before you get in touch. For road marking companies, this is especially important; after all, it’s not the kind of service you can easily have removed or altered.
Take a look at their website and ask yourself if it looks professional and well maintained – reading a book by its cover may not always go down very well in real life, but every business in the digital age should have a presentable website that is easy to navigate where customers can find out all the information they need.
Testimonials are a great way to gain some insight into the type of clients your potential provider has worked with. Are there any brands you recognise, even if they are local ones. Don’t be afraid to call them up and ask for an honest opinion. Don’t simply trust what you read on the website.
The company site should also tell you something about how long they have been in business. Choosing a company that has just launched a few years ago may be a risky decision, even if their prices may be lower than someone who has decades worth of experience behind them. That time is more valuable in the long run than you may think.
Not only is the quality of the work likely to be excellent and reliable, but an experienced provider will also be able to give you a lot more insight and detail into the cost of things, what materials are right for your specific needs, as well as answer any other questions you may have. And while newer companies are, of course, perfectly knowledgeable about their field of work, it’s always best to opt for experts with a solid reputation if you’re unsure.
Services Offered
It’s all very well to find a contractor you like the sound of and that has fantastic reviews, but it’s all for nothing if they don’t provide the exact service you need. This is why having a clear website is so important during the research process.
However, it’s not just important to look out for services you may need right now. If you’re in need of road marking services, the chances are that you will need to factor in maintenance services down the line, or even line removal. Make sure you check if your contractor provides these extra services, as you will already have a trusted relationship with them and this will make any future projects far more efficient for you.
Many road marking companies will also have specialists on their team that will be particularly knowledgeable about specific areas of the industry and this could be useful information for you to know. If the team members’ ‘About Us’ section on the website does not give you the information you need, make sure this is something you ask when you call up for a consultation.
Materials and Equipment
As with most things in life, it can be very tempting to opt for a service that offers you an unbeatable price, but make sure you question what you are getting for that money. Reputable road marking companies will always use high-quality materials regardless of the size of the project.
Of course, you may not know what sort of materials should be used on any given project, but that’s why it’s important to choose a contractor with a decent reputation and long-lasting results. Cutting corners or using low quality materials will only result in more frequent refresh jobs, which can start to add up over time.
Thermoplastic paint is the standard material used by any reputable road marking company and this information should be readily available through the company website.
Speed and Efficiency
Disruption and delays can easily add up over the course of a project, and if you’re working within a set budget, this could cause some real problems. That’s why it’s important to choose a contractor that prioritises speed, but without compromising on quality.
It’s not only important that they complete the work in an allotted and agreed upon time, but also make sure you ask how quickly they are able to start the work. Sought after road marking companies could have a backlog of work, or could be in the middle of an annual project for a specific client or council, and this could impact your decision if your needs are extremely timely.
An experienced road marking company will be able to give you a detailed estimate as to how long any given project will take, and what the schedule is likely to be. Never opt for a contractor that cannot give you an end date, as this could end up costing you far more money in the long run.
Attention To Detail
While it’s important to prioritise speed, that does not mean you want a job or service to be rushed. At the end of the day, it’s the little things that can make a project stand out and choosing a contractor that is innovative, creative and has a clear eye for detail will make you that much happier with the result.
By taking a lot at their past projects, either through the website, asking for a portfolio, or just going to a site yourself if you’re able to, you’ll be able to see what sort of care they put into their work. Does the space look like it’s been designed with aesthetics in mind, or does it stick out? How appealing does the space look to potential clients or visitors. At the end of the day, the final product is what your customers are going to see, not all the work leading up to it.
And of course, there are other factors that may impact your choice, such as whether or not the company keeps up to date with any new technology and is continuously learning and moving forward, or are they using the same equipment for the past ten years? Are they environmentally conscious and making the use of eco friendly materials and equipment (where possible) a priority? If you or your company cares about these sorts of values, it might play a role in your final decision.
Accreditations & Insurances
Any reputable Road Marking contractor will be a member of the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA), they will have further accreditations such as BSI 9001, BSI 14001, BSI 45001, Construction Line, CHAS, SMAS. Insurances are also another factor to consider, does the contractor have valid insurance such as Public Liability, Products Liability, Contractors All Risk at a sufficient level to work on your premises? These are all questions you can ask the contractor when procuring your works.
Terms and conditions
Finally, it is vital that the work you have paid for is guaranteed. The last thing you want is for a project to be completed, only to find flaws, damage or imperfections you are not able to get fixed because it wasn’t a part of the original contract or agreement. Any reputable road marking company will ensure that their work is fully guaranteed and will fix any issues that may arise after the work is completed. If it is not brought up before you sign a contract, make sure that you make it a priority to ask before you commit to anything.
