When you are ready to begin exploring potential food truck builders, it’s important to have a plan in place to gather the most helpful information, which is why this post of Questions You Need to Ask Your Food Truck Builder will be helpful for you. Many factors come into play when investing in such a large business decision, and you need to feel comfortable with your builder, as you’ll be working closely together for the next several months, and beyond. Let’s check out Questions You Need to Ask Your Food Truck Builder.
- How long have you been specifically building food trucks?
This question is important to understand how the builder began fabricating custom food trucks and will help gauge their credibility within the market.
- What are the differences in my options for food trucks vs. food trailers?
Understanding and determining which platform is best for your needs is crucial and should be outlined by the builder. Many factors should be considered when reviewing the differences, including vehicle maintenance, tow vehicles, budget, crew, etc.
- How does your process work – from beginning to end?
Some builders over-promise and under-deliver, and to top that – are late on delivery. It’s important that your builder can clearly identify the entire build process – from design, engineering, exterior build-out, interior build-out, paint/graphics, training and delivery.
- Who will my contact be throughout the process?
Who will answer design questions? Technical questions? Billing questions? This type of clarification is imperative to ensure your questions are answered in a timely manner.
- Will you design and engineer my food truck?
Many builders still have the ‘back of the napkin’ mentality, which has worked for them in the past until it doesn’t. Understanding the engineering and design mechanisms that go into building a food truck is important. Not all builders have in-house design and engineering services, so that will be a differentiator
between those that offer innovative solutions and those that just can’t get there.
- Do you offer a warranty?
Most builders do offer a warranty, but to what extent? The industry standard is three years on craftsmanship. It’s important to understand how the warranty work is completed – the process, where the warranty work must be completed, expected downtime while work is being completed, etc.
- What is your typical build timeframe?
Get a complete timeline of the build process in writing. Be sure you understand the timeline demands – what do you need to provide in order to continue pushing the process along? Will you be given weekly updates on the build process? Based on conversations with several customers that have built with
other builders, the biggest frustration of the food truck build is missing the deadlines.
- After the build is complete, how will I receive the unit?
Builders operate the delivery process differently, so it’s important to have a plan in place so you’re not scrambling at the last minute to get your food truck delivered to you.
- Do you have financing options?
Without financing and security of funds, a food truck cannot be built. Some builders are beginning to offer in-house financing to ensure their customers can receive secured financing. Ask about those options.
- Can I get a list of references?
Ask the builder for a list of references for past projects. Getting a past customer (or current customer) on the phone can clarify the experience from the buyers point of view, and determine if this will be a good fit for you. Many builders will be happy to provide a list of references. I think it’s safe to say… if
the builder is hesitant to provide a list of past projects, they are trying to hide, or cover up, bad experiences.
We hope you found this post of Questions You Need to Ask Your Food Truck Builder helpful and insightful as you select a reputable food truck or food trailer fabricator. If you need any assistance with your selection process, or would like to consult with an expert, APEX Specialty Vehicles builds the most badass food trucks and food trailers on the road. RELATED: View the APEX Portfolio of past projects.
APEX Specialty Vehicles offers a different experience than most custom food truck builders. We invest in the design and engineering of your food truck upfront, so the build expectations are clear. We aim to provide you with a Scope of Work, Pricing, 3D Renderings/Drawings, and a Project Timeline so you are able to make the best business decision. Listen to our CEO, Brad Carlson, speak about his experience and the process of APEX. Are you ready to quote your project? Let’s get started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9meS03Sj_k