Most people living or owning commercial property on the waterfront will require the services of a marine contractor to construct or repair a dock or shoreline erosion control structure. Selecting a qualified and knowledgeable marine contractor that will provide value for your money is essential.
Marine Contractor Near Me has stable, experienced, and respected leadership. They will be actively involved in improving and advancing safety standards, quality, and customer satisfaction.
If you are planning to build a seawall, it is crucial to work with a marine contractor who has extensive experience in building coastal structures. This is because the processes involved in marine construction are different from those used for building on land. In addition, a marine contractor should have the technical knowledge to deal with designs and unique environmental factors in this type of construction project. A contractor with years of experience is likely to deliver quality results that are worth your money.
To determine the quality of a marine contractor’s work, it is best to ask them for references and testimonials from past clients. This will help you decide whether to hire them for your project. It will also give you a clear idea about the contractor’s professionalism and working habits. You should avoid hiring contractors who have poor work ethics and are not time sensitive.
When you are interviewing marine contractors, you should always ask about their level of professional training and expertise. They should be able to answer your questions clearly and in detail. They should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the materials and the equipment that will be used in the project. In addition, you should ask about their business practices and how they handle challenges during the project.
A good marine contractor will have an excellent reputation and solid relationships with their vendors. They will also be able to provide you with detailed, accurate estimating and will respond quickly to your requests. They should also be willing to meet with you and your architect before beginning the construction process.
Before selecting a marine contractor, you should research the type of project you want to undertake. You can find plenty of information online, in magazines and other publications. Look for the contact information of previous clients, and call them to see if they were satisfied with the job done.
If you have a waterfront property, it is essential to build a seawall to protect it from erosion. Failing to do so will result in losing a significant portion of your property to the sea. It is best to work with a professional marine contractor to ensure that your waterfront development project is completed safely and on time.
License
A marine contractor license allows a professional to construct, maintain, alter, or install seawalls, bulkheads, revetments, docks, piers, wharfs, groins, boat lifts and davits. It also allows them to perform electrical work required to make the equipment operational.
The license process includes a background check, a physical exam and a written test. It can take up to three weeks. During that time, the applicant must also complete the required number of hours of approved continuing education to keep the license current.
There are two types of marine contractor’s license: the general and the specialty. The general license is required for construction in any body of water, while the specialty license is only required for certain construction projects. The specialty license requires a degree in a related field and experience working in the specific area.
Choosing the right marine contractor is vital to the success of any project. From building sturdy docks to taming erosion with resilient seawalls, the contractor you choose can be the difference between a quality job and a botched mess. The key is to look for experienced contractors with a solid track record and stable ownership structure.
A reputable marine contractor should have workers’ compensation, workers’ compensation liability, and general liability insurance coverage. They should be capable of meeting deadlines and addressing any unexpected developments that may occur on the project. Additionally, they should be licensed to operate heavy machinery and know how to navigate challenging water environments. The best marine contractors understand the unique challenges water environments present and will provide a higher level of expertise to ensure projects meet the highest standards. Lastly, marine contractors who are familiar with local ordinances will be better able to navigate the often confusing regulatory process.
Insurance
Marine contractors work in an environment that is both dynamic and dangerous. Whether they are building marinas, docks, piers, wharves, bulkheads or seawalls, they face many risks that can shutter their business and sink profits. Having a customized insurance program in place can protect them from the perils of disaster and ensure their ongoing success.
The unique responsibilities of marine contractors require coverage that is tailored to their specific exposures. Often, contract specifications will require that marine contractors carry certain coverages before they can begin work on a project. Meeting these requirements helps them to establish credibility and confidence with their clients while also mitigating risk.
While commercial general liability policies will cover most of your land-based operations, marine construction presents a special set of risks that need to be addressed. Having a policy that includes specialized marine contractor general liability, hull and PI insurance, workers’ compensation, extra expense and other business interruption coverages will help you to weather storms like workplace injuries, environmental accidents, theft of equipment and even cyber threats.
Some of the other coverages to consider include:
Bumbershoot Coverage – This is an excess liability protection that offers additional limits over your underlying limits for property and general liability insurance. It is designed specifically for the marine industry including ship repairers, charterers, stevedores and terminal operators.
Workers’ compensation – Helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages in the event that one of your employees is injured on the job. It can help you to retain skilled employees and to meet your legal obligations as an employer.
Hull and PI insurance – Provides physical damage coverage for your equipment, machinery or other structures that are owned by you or in your care, custody and control. It can be combined with a workers’ compensation endorsement to provide a complete coverage package.
Some of these options are available as standalone policies while others are included in all-lines approaches where marine insurance is bundled with casualty and property coverages to offer you an easy-to-manage comprehensive coverage solution. Talk to us about your needs and we’ll be happy to recommend the right products.
Customer Reviews
Most waterfront property owners will, sooner or later, need to hire a marine contractor for a construction or repair project. Choosing a well-qualified and knowledgeable contractor will often make the difference between a successful and costly marine construction project. It is therefore important to research contractors, outline project details, invite on-site inspections and understand proposed designs and materials. In addition, selecting a contractor with experience in coastal construction ensures that the construction process is done correctly and withstands natural processes.
Marine construction includes the construction, demolition, installation, alteration, or repair of structures on or over State and private tidal waters and shoreline erosion control structures including bulkheads, seawalls, revetments, groins, jetties, stone sills, marsh establishments, beach nourishment, and coastal bluff reshaping and stabilization. It also includes navigation projects such as docks, cribs, and boat ramps, marina basins and harbor projects, and dredging.
A reputable contractor will have a variety of marine construction equipment available for use, and will know how to put it to work on specific types of projects. Using the proper equipment ensures the job is done correctly, efficiently and safely. It is important to check with potential contractors regarding their equipment, as well as how many years they have been in business.
References should be obtained from past clients who have had similar projects constructed, and the contractors they used to construct them. It is also a good idea to walk existing projects solving similar problems, and talk with the owners about the contractors they used. If a prospective contractor is reluctant to provide references, serious consideration should be given to selecting another marine contractor. Also, checking with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help you identify a marine contractor who is trustworthy and reputable. Select businesses earn a BBB Accreditation by undergoing a rigorous evaluation and upholding the BBB Accreditation Standards.