Questions To Ask Before You Work With a Supplier or Contractor

However, making use of suppliers, contractors and even outsourced help is the key to consistent small business growth. So before you just hire any random contractor, we’ve put together a list of questions that you should ask yourself before you hire.

What kind of service or goods are you looking for?

Consider what kind of service or goods you’re looking for. Be as specific as possible to avoid misunderstandings or complications in the future. Write down the exact services or items that you’re looking for and it’ll help narrow down your search. It’ll also help disqualify potential suppliers or contractors if they don’t offer what you need, or if they have a roundabout way of giving you the results you’re looking for.

Are you willing to pay for convenience?

Some businesses would be more than willing to pay for convenience. This has many different implications in a business scenario, but a simple example would be to imagine a computer repair service. You’ll likely get cheaper options if you go for a company that works across the nation because they have more workers. However, if you want to work with a local computer specialist to ensure they can provide in-person repairs within 5 minutes, then you may need to pay extra.

Do you prefer to work with a local company?

And speaking of working with a local company, it’s important to decide if you want to work with a large national group or just a small service near you. Industry-grade solutions such as Pro Circuit Inc are important if you’re doing serious work, but if you’re just performing a few simple repairs or doing basic marketing campaigns, then it’s unlikely you’ll need a professional-grade solution. Always consider your needs and if you prefer to work locally or on a national level.

Do you require bespoke services?

How specific is your request? Are you going to be changing things on a regular basis with your new supplier, or do you just need a readily-available product every 2 months? Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be better off working with a bespoke contractor or supplier if every project you give them is different. However, if you just need a box of items every month, then going for a cheap and reliable option is perfectly fine.

Is the company reputable and has good reviews?

Make sure you look at the reviews that the company has received. This will give you a great understanding of what they’re capable of, but it’ll also give you some insight into how the customers reacted. Reviews can help you decide if you should work with a company or if you should just avoid it.

Can the company put you in touch with other clients?

Some contractors and suppliers are willing to put you in touch with other clients that they’ve worked with in the past or have an open contract with. These companies usually give consent to disclose these details, and that’s a great sign because it shows that they trust the supplier or contractor.

Have you gathered quotes from multiple companies?

If you want to cut business expenses then you’ll need to gather quotes from multiple companies. Just working with a single company can be good for building a solid business relationship, but it’s not always the cheapest option. Get a quote from several companies then see what the best option is in terms of cost and performance.

What’s your first impression of the business?

First impressions count in the world of business. If you’re the client, then you need to decide whether or not the contractor or supplier’s first impression has sold you or not. If you immediately have a gut feeling that they’re unprofessional, you should avoid them and look for another option. However, if your first reaction is that you like the company, then it’s worth exploring your options with a little more depth to see if they can deliver an outstanding service.

There are many unique things to manage when it comes to starting a small business. One of the biggest concerns that you might face is working with a new supplier or contractor for the first time. It can be a little daunting because you’ll be exposing a part of your business to someone or a company with the intention of improving your business. Unfortunately, this can be a little embarrassing for some business owners and not everyone is open to the idea of letting strangers into their workflow.