The gap between a qualified infrastructure contractor and an unqualified one is invisible until something goes wrong, and then it is the difference between an insured incident and an ownership liability. Qualify vendors before work, not after claims.
Licensing
- State low voltage licensing. Georgia requires a state low voltage license (LV classification) for communications cabling work; Indiana licensing operates at state and local levels. Verify the license class matches the work and is current, ask for the number and check it.
- Local permits. Confirm the vendor pulls permits where required rather than working around them; unpermitted work becomes the building's problem at inspection or sale.
Insurance
- Current certificate of insurance naming ownership and management as additional insureds.
- General liability at limits appropriate to the asset (commonly $1M/$2M minimum; more for high-rise or critical environments).
- Workers' compensation, verify, especially with subcontractor-heavy vendors.
- Auto and umbrella coverage for vendors operating lifts or working at height.
- Tracked expiration dates, a COI is a snapshot, not a subscription.
Safety program
- Written safety program, not just a binder purchased for bids.
- OSHA 10 training minimum for field technicians; OSHA 30 for supervision.
- Confined space training and procedures for anyone entering manholes, vaults, or crawl spaces.
- Ladder/lift certification and fall protection for rooftop and riser work.
- Ask for their OSHA 300 log summary or EMR, history predicts behavior.
Documentation standards
- Labels every cable installed, both ends, to building standard.
- Delivers as-built documentation and photos as a condition of completion.
- Follows firestopping standards and documents penetrations.
- Accepts building access and change management procedures in writing.
The meta-question: how a vendor reacts to qualification tells you most of what you need. Professional infrastructure partners have these answers ready because they are asked constantly, by data centers, hospitals, and governed buildings. Resistance to qualification is data.