Selecting the right hospital construction contractor is a critical step in ensuring the success of your healthcare facility project. I understand the significance of making an informed decision.
To help you in this process, here are 15 essential questions to ask potential contractors to ensure you make the best choice for your hospital construction project:
1. What is your experience in healthcare construction? Do you have comparable projects?
Healthcare projects can vary in complexity. Projects can range from office spaces to operating rooms. When it comes to hospital construction, experience is a crucial factor. Inquire about the contractor’s record with similar projects, including the number of hospital constructions completed, their complexity, and the successful delivery of projects on time and within budget. Requesting references is an essential step in evaluating a contractor’s performance. A contractor with significant experience in hospital construction is more likely to have the knowledge and expertise necessary to navigate healthcare facilities’ unique challenges and requirements.
2. Who from your company will lead the project and what is their experience?
A contractor can have significant experience working in hospitals. However, the superintendent and project executive leading the projects can vary in expertise. What is their experience with similar projects? How familiar are they with the hospital? How accessible are they, and what other projects will they oversee simultaneously?
3. What credentials and certifications do you hold?
Hospital construction demands compliance with specific industry standards and regulations. Look for a contractor with relevant certifications, such as Lean or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), showcasing their commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices. Additionally, check if the contractor holds healthcare-specific qualifications (e.g., CHC) that demonstrate their understanding of the unique needs of healthcare facilities.
4. What processes do you have to ensure the project is on time and within budget?
A contractor’s process for communicating change orders and scope changes must be timely to mitigate costs. How does the contractor handle scope changes and change orders? Before finalizing a contract, request the contractor’s comprehensive project timeline and budget breakdown. A detailed timeline should include milestones, deliverables, and construction phases, while the budget breakdown should cover all anticipated costs, including materials, labor, and contingencies. Reviewing this information will ensure transparency and alignment with your expectations.
5. How do you prioritize compliance and safety measures?
Safety is of utmost importance in hospital construction. In particular, what is their experience with ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) and ILSM (Interim Life Safety Measures)? Do they understand how to set up negative pressure areas properly? (When planning a project, a contractor said they would exhaust the HEPA machine into the OR corridor.) Inquire about the contractor’s safety management program, protocols for ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and their track record in maintaining a safe working environment on construction sites. A reputable contractor will have robust safety procedures and training to protect patients, staff, and visitors throughout construction (See related post, Maximizing Infection Control: Proven Best Practices for Hospital Design)
6. How do you foster collaboration among stakeholders?
Hospital construction involves various stakeholders, including architects, engineers, administrators, and project managers. Effective collaboration is crucial for a successful project. Ask the contractor about their approach to fostering communication and cooperation among all parties involved. Look for evidence of their ability to work as a team and adapt to evolving project needs. What is the contractor’s experience working with the stakeholders (hospital, architect, engineers, and subcontractors?)
7. What technological capabilities do you utilize?
In today’s construction industry, technology plays a significant role in optimizing project efficiency and accuracy. Inquire about the contractor using Building Information Modeling (BIM), construction management software, and other advanced tools. BIM, for example, enables detailed 3D modeling and coordination of various building systems, reducing the risk of conflicts during construction. BIM is invaluable for clash detection, construction coordination, and visualization. What construction management software do they utilize for project scheduling, document control, and stakeholder communication?
8. How do you approach sustainability and environmentally responsible practices?
Sustainability is increasingly important in healthcare facility construction. Hospitals are embracing green building practices to reduce their environmental impact and operational costs. Ask the contractor about their experience with sustainable construction methods, energy-efficient systems, and use of renewable materials. Contractors with expertise in sustainable practices can help you achieve your hospital’s environmental goals. See my recent posts Why Sustainability is Key to Staying Ahead in the Healthcare Industry and Green Hospitals: Can Sustainability be a Priority in Healthcare Construction?
9. How familiar are you with local regulations and building codes?
Hospital construction must adhere to local and sometimes state regulations, building codes, and zoning requirements. A contractor familiar with these regulations can streamline the permitting process and ensure compliance. Inquire about the contractor’s experience working with local and state authorities and their success in obtaining permits for similar projects. Their rapport with these agencies is invaluable.
10. How do you handle changes and unexpected challenges in a project?
Hospital construction projects can encounter changes and unforeseen challenges. Flexibility and adaptability are essential qualities for a construction contractor. Ask the contractor how they handle changes in scope, project adjustments, and unexpected issues that occurred on a similar project. Understanding their change order process and how disputes get resolved is essential. A team and solutions-oriented approach is critical to maintaining project momentum and delivering successful results.
11. What is your subcontractor selection process?
The quality of subcontractors can significantly impact the project’s outcome. Ask the contractor how they select and manage subcontractors. Do they have a reliable network of specialized subcontractors for healthcare projects?
12. Can you provide a detailed risk management plan?
Understanding potential risks and having a plan to mitigate them is crucial in hospital construction. Ask for a detailed risk management plan that addresses possible delays, budget overruns, and safety concerns.
13. How do you ensure minimal disruption to hospital operations during construction?
Hospital construction often takes place in active facilities. Inquire about the contractor’s strategies to minimize disruptions to hospital operations, patient care, and staff workflow during construction. (See related post, Top 10 Patient Safety Risks during Healthcare Construction and Renovation)
14. What is your approach to quality control?
Quality control is essential to ensure the project meets all specifications and standards. Ask about the contractor’s quality control measures and how they provide the highest quality of work throughout the project.
15. Can you provide case studies or examples of past hospital construction projects?
Seeing tangible examples of past projects can give you a better understanding of the contractor’s capabilities and how they handle challenges: request case studies or detailed examples of similar hospital construction projects they have completed.
Conclusion
Selecting the right hospital construction contractor requires thorough evaluation and asking critical questions. By inquiring about their experience, credentials, compliance and safety measures, past performance, collaboration approach, technological capabilities, sustainability practices, knowledge of local regulations, adaptability, and project planning abilities, you can make an informed decision that sets your hospital construction project on the path to success.
I hope these questions helped guide you through the contractor selection process and provide the expertise needed for successful hospital construction projects. Contact me today to discuss your hospital construction needs and take the first step towards building a cutting-edge healthcare facility that will positively impact countless lives.
