How to Choose a Railroad Contractor

How to Choose a Railroad Contractor

December 5, 20200

There’s little room for error for a railroad contractor in the world of railroad construction. Choosing the wrong railroad contractors near me puts you at risk for delays, needless expenses or even lackluster safety standards.

Whether you’re looking for someone to construct a new piece of track or repair an existing railway, it’s crucial you look for someone with the expertise and reputation to suit your needs.

5 Questions You Should Ask a Railroad Contractor

  1. Are they experienced?

One of the first things to look for is whether the contractor’s experience lines up with the requirements of your project.

Try to get a sense of the methodology they use to manage projects and the type of work they’ve done with companies like yours in the past.

Ask them about their project success rate, their track record for concluding projects on time and within budget. Find out their criteria for communication. Will they provide regular updates and detailed reports? Finally, ask if they have their own specialized equipment.

  1. Are they safe?

Railroad construction and repair can be dangerous, which is why it’s vital to pick a midwest railroad contractor who closely follows industry safety standards and who keeps their workers up to date on safety protocols.

The contractor will be responsible for making sure their employees and work sites are safe, but it’s still in your best interest to see that work is done to the highest safety standards to ensure the project passes inspection.

  1. How is their environmental record?

Like all transportation work, railroad construction projects need to meet the standards set by government environmental policies.

That’s why it’s important to choose a contractor who can effectively deal with possible environmental incidents and perform remedial actions to protect the environment. Look for a provider that has a long record of environmental sustainability.

  1. Can they think on their feet?

In a perfect world, every railroad construction or repair project would go off without a hitch. But there’s no way to predict things like extreme weather events.

What if flash flooding causes a subsidence near one of your bridges? What if a snowstorm closes down construction?

You need a midwest railroad contractor who can respond to these issues when they occur. Look for someone who can offer a range of services, not only construction but also design, maintenance and inspections.

Look for someone with local expertise. A railroad contractor who’s only done work in, say, Arizona may not be familiar with dealing with midwestern winters.

  1. What do other people say about them?

A dependable railroad contractor is one who won’t mind turning over their references. Speaking to their past clients is the simplest way to get a sense of what it will be like to work with them.

Once you’ve made contact with these references, ask them things like: Did they understand your needs? Were you satisfied with their overall work? Were they responsive to questions and requests? Did they meet safety and/or environmental regulations? And perhaps most importantly, would you work with them again?

We like to think our clients would answer yes to those questions. As a premiere midwest railroad contractor, R&S Track has spent nearly 30 years helping businesses who needed:

We Are Railroad Contractors Near Me

We have a 100 percent track record of customer satisfaction as the midwest railroad contractors near me and are happy to provide references. Contact us at 402-564-1801 for service inquiries and price estimates.