Today, it's more important than ever for businesses to make wise decisions about whether to use an in house maintenance crew to do a job or hire a contractor to perform the work. Both choices have benefits. A cost analysis can give you the dollar amount you'll spend, but cost impact is not always found on a cost analysis sheet. Other factors must be considered. There are EPA regulations and time constraints that impact the total cost.

Industrial coatings such as paints and sealants present dilemmas to the user whether the coating is for commercial, or industrial application. Curing and drying time of sealants, plus maintenance crew expertise are factors in application. In the case of sealants, a facility must be vacated while the work is done, and that means maintenance crews work weekends with paid overtime.

If something goes wrong with the product or job quality, suppliers stand behind their work. In house maintenance means the job must be done over at the expense of the business.

There are times when it makes sense to do a job in-house. Painting is not a high tech skill and maintenance crews perform these jobs satisfactorily and routinely. As long as safety regulations are adhered to, this job is practical for in-house maintenance. Exceptions might be for special projects such as painting a silo or special protective paint for external storage tanks.

Industrial sealants are used in basements and on concrete factory floors. Fumes, curing time, and floor repair can be expected with this coating application. In most cases, an entire factory floor is sealed when the industrial coating is applied. Total cost will depend on production downtime, labor, material, and overhead costs. This will give an estimate of how much money to allocate whether performing the job in-house or hiring a contractor.Safety is also a prime consideration.

Once the in-house costs are calculated, the next step is to obtain an estimate from a professional industrial coating company. Then you can compare costs and make a decision.

Contractors should supply a material hazard data sheet for their product and be knowledgeable in environmental regulations. It's in the contractors best interests to know how to aid clients and guide them to good decision-making. It makes good sense to use the resources the contractor provides.

Coating contractors deal in large purchases for their products and often give you better prices on sealants than you can obtain on your own. Their crews are trained for the job you need done, and they stand behind their workmanship. If they have a mishap or a problem with the product, the cost is on them. If you do the job in-house, redoing a job is on you.

Know your contractor before you sign on the dotted line. Ask for referrals, look at their work, visit their facility, and make certain you ask about certification, and other licensing or regulatory documents.

Hiring a contractor or large jobs can save money, time, and headaches. It removes the hassle of scheduling in-house maintenance crews to perform a job and it provides assurance that all regulations are met. Hiring a contractor means that you're satisfied with the results. Lastly, spending money wisely means getting the best value for your dollar.

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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