11 Questions to Ask a Stone Restoration Contractor

Approaching a stone restoration project need not be a daunting task. Thanks to the internet, one may begin the process with personal research into the prominent and local firms in order to assess their past work and read through customer reviews. From there, getting to know experts in the industry and asking questions will help to gain familiarity with the restoration process required. It is helpful to carry out thorough preliminary research and introductory discussions prior to selecting a restoration contractor since differences in approach will become apparent early on in the process.

The specific nature of a stone restoration project, be it damage in need of repair or staining in need of cleaning, will direct the question-and-answer process. While reputation and reviews are invaluable information when carrying out research into stone restoration contractors, there are a number of general questions that should be clarified while getting to know the different stone restoration contractors.

1) What is your training and background in the stone restoration industry?

The history of a firm on its website will shed light on this question; however, details and experiences that would not otherwise be listed are naturally explained through conversation. The number of years in the industry, where they were trained, and the difficult projects they have worked on over the years will provide a more complete background to confirm their competence.

2) Is your company properly insured for the specifics of this project?

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, confirming insurance specifics is a logistical necessity before getting too far into the project planning.

3) Will your company help with fundraising, grant writing, or the like?

Depending on whether or not fundraising, grant writing, or other is needed on a project, understanding if a firm is willing and capable to support you in those areas will streamline the overall needs of the project.

4) Is your work completed in-house or subcontracted

Some companies will contract the work but sub out the work to another company. There are advantages and disadvantages to this approach. When you are carrying out preliminary research for your project, it is ideal to speak to the individuals who are directly involved or overseeing the work. This will guarantee greater accuracy during your research process, strengthen the relationship between client and company, and confirm or deny confidence in a given firm. Further, it is generally less costly to go with a firm that carries out its work in-house.

(Left) Before conservation for the Legionnaire statues at the Union Station (Right) After conservation cleaning

5) Who would be the point person on this type of project?

As an extension of the question regarding subcontracting, and depending on the complexity of your project, it may be helpful to understand and maybe get to know the point of contact and oversight personnel on the project. This will paint a more complete picture of how the project will run.

6) What would be the estimated time frame for this sort of project

The firm probably will not be able to provide exact dates or a time frame without a formal budget and schedule developed; however, getting a general idea for the length of the project will aid in the planning and research process.

7) How does your team maintain scheduling?

This question will prompt a discussion on how communication is handled between the company and the client, specifically regarding scheduling, but also regarding unforeseen situations, and a general explanation of the work throughout the project. Depending on the complexity of the project, you will want the reassurance of project deadlines and checks for quality control.

8) How would you describe the client-company relationship in regards to mock-ups, quality control, and explanation of the onsite process during the project?

The Client or Owners’ Representative will want to ensure strong communication skills from a firm early on in the project so that quality control and on-site explanations are consistent and thorough. All depending on the complexity of the project, the client will likely want to see an example of the restoration work prior to substantial completion in order to confirm the aesthetic, method, etc. An experienced firm will display strong collaboration and communication ability from the first conversations through to the end of the project.

(Left) One of the Legionnaire statues during repairs (Right) After repair

9) What are your work practices in regards to unforeseen damages and change orders?

Ideally, the firm you contract with does its due diligence during the project planning and budgeting phases and does not miss any details that may add to the scope later in the project. However, unforeseen damages are unavoidable at times, and change orders are required. Understanding how a firm handles their proposal process and project change orders will determine their respect for your budget and directness in handling challenges on the project. Speaking to project references will also help to gain a deeper understanding of the change order protocol of a firm.

10) Is it possible to obtain a list of references from past projects?

On a small project, this may not be necessary; however, on a complex project, the Client will benefit from private conversations with references to understand their experience with the firm, especially regarding scheduling, quality control, and satisfaction with the project completion.

11) How do you differentiate yourself from your competitors?

This may seem like a cliche question, but it can be valuable to understand how a firm views its competitors. Questions of this nature put the individual on the spot, and one can observe how they handle a little confrontation and competition.

Washington D.C.’s Union Station after conservation and restoration

This list of questions should help to gain a better understanding of a company’s background and competence regarding taking on your project. As one gains greater familiarity with the subject, process, and vocabulary, the more comfortable he or she will be in selecting the correct restoration firm for the project.