Hiring a corrosion expert? Just as you would expect a reputable plumber to fix a leak, or a general contractor to build you a beautiful house that’s up to code, you should be able to expect a reputable corrosion inspection agency to give you an accurate estimate that is designed to keep your assets protected, long-term.
But, unlike a plumber leaving you with a leaky faucet, or a contractor that keeps racking up the bill, getting an accurate inspection from a corrosion expert is too important to leave to chance. A reliable corrosion expert should leave you with a plan that keeps your employees, assets and the community safe. The only issue with this is that it’s not always easy to tell which expert is the most reliable in a saturated market of so-called ‘inspectors.
You need a company that offers great service, accurate inspection, timely and cost-effective measures and has a deep understanding of research, materials and preventative measures in order to ensure your product, asset or machinery is protected to the best of its ability.
Here Are 5 Things to Take into Consideration When Hiring A Corrosion Expert:
1. You Get What You Pay For
Right now, there is a flood of inspectors in the industry, which means you need to make sure whomever you hire is qualified as much as they are certified. There is definitely a difference between a fly-by-night contractor and a reputable one. It’s important to do your due diligence and research your contractor beforehand to look for qualifications, recommendations and testimonials from other companies. This ensures you are getting what you are paying for.
There’s also something to be said about hiring a ‘cheap’ company. It’s likely they are able to perform their services at a cheaper rate for a reason. Quantity over quality is usually the result of a cheaper service, which means you’ll end up spending more in the long run because your asset will corrode much faster than anticipated.
Pro tip: Do your research, hire a company with a good reputation and commit to spending more up-front to save costs down the road. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for finding experts in the industry.
2. Hire a Reputable Team That Puts Safety First
Safety is everyone’s responsibility, but moreover, a corrosion inspector should have safety at the top of their minds, at all times. Safety also shouldn’t be cast aside for a cheaper price. It should be the number one priority because safety can trickle down to every aspect of the job.
Safety for the contractor’s team, ensuring they are being responsible on the job, especially on someone else’s site.
Safety for the general public and a consideration of how long-term corrosion of an asset puts people or the environment at risk.
Safety for the employees of the client. Knowing that these employees will be working with the asset, ensuring that it’s protected and does not degrade fast ensures employees are safe as well.
Pro tip: When you have a contractor come in, ask what their safety policy is and how they ensure the safety of the staff and community.
3. A Reputable Inspector Will Spend Time Consulting First
Unfortunately, there are engineering firms that try to do coating specifications by copying and pasting from old or incorrect specs. This leads to costly time delays and failures.
It is so important that the firm comes out to do a thorough and detailed consult and check of the asset you are looking to protect. A reputable firm will spend the time it takes, gives updates and information and will not rush to conclusions or quotes.
Did you know that The Coating Inspector has a customer relationship management tool? TCI uses a specialized app to give clients real-time reports with photos and detailed logs on the health of their assets. This gives the confidence needed to know that the job is as thorough as possible.
Pro tip: If you have hired a firm that seems speedy with their process, ask them why and use it as a red flag that their inspection wasn’t as thorough as it should be.
4. Good Inspectors Have a Knowledge of Up-to-date Technology, Research & Materials
Research in this industry advances fast! This is why it’s so imperative that your corrosion expert stays up-to-date with research and technology and has a deep knowledge of any scientific advancement that may prolong the life and health of your asset.
Not only that, but your inspection agency should have a vast knowledge of new materials that are being used and how to apply them correctly so that they can stand the test of time.
Pro tip: Do the research yourself and ask the expert how they feel about certain materials. If the expert doesn’t know, it means they aren’t keeping up with the research that’s out there.
5. Look for a Team that’s Informative & Reliable
Your corrosion expert should be informative and reliable and make you feel comfortable with the procedure. They should be able to answer questions and get back to you in a timely manner.
At TCI our clients are our top priority and building trusting relationships is something we take pride in. We are always around to answer questions, give insight and offer advice.
