8 Tips for Choosing the Right Tank Building Contractor

Selecting a partner for a new storage tank project is a decision that impacts your operational capabilities, regulatory compliance, and financial outcomes for decades to come. Above-ground storage tanks serve a broad spectrum of essential uses, from municipal water supply and fire protection to manufacturing, supply chain, and military fuel storage.

The performance of each tank depends on expert design, precise fabrication, and reliable erection. For these reasons, choosing the right tank building contractor is one of the most important steps in the entire process. Adopting a systematic approach to contractor selection puts you in a position to protect public safety, maximize life-cycle value, and minimize avoidable risk.

1. Assess Industry Experience and Technical Capability

A contractor’s relevant history is a reliable predictor of how they will handle your project’s requirements. Review a prospective contractor’s portfolio, focusing on tank projects that match your scale, purpose, and type.

Ask if they have direct experience with municipal water storage, industrial fuel tanks, or Department of Defense installations, and if they provide solutions under circumstances similar to yours. For example, municipal projects typically follow AWWA D100 standards for welded steel tanks, whereas oil sector work should align with API 650, 653, or 12D standards.

Complex projects often require an understanding of multiple specifications, such as working with stainless steel, designing for seismic zones, or integrating advanced monitoring equipment.

2. Examine Certifications and Staff Qualifications

Reputable contractors anchor their reputation in recognized industry certifications. Request documentation for all relevant standards, including:

API 650 for welded tanks used in oil storage
API 653 for inspection, repair, and alteration of these tanks
API 12D for field-welded tanks involving production liquids
AWWA D100 for carbon steel water tanks
ASME “U” Stamp for allowable pressure vessel fabrication
NBIC “R” Stamp indicating qualification in tank repair and alterations

Ask not only about company certifications but also individual credentials such as Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS/PQR) and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQs). Personnel should be trained and certified in all Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) methods that apply to your project.

3. Investigate Safety Records and Risk Management

Safety considerations are paramount, both for the welfare of personnel and the public. Request access to incident records, like OSHA 300 logs, and analyze experience modification rates (EMR) for the last three years (rates below 1.0 reflect a reliable safety culture, robust training, and disciplined risk management practices).

Evaluate written procedures for high-risk activities, including confined space entry, elevated work, and heavy crane operations. Inquire about their approach to safety orientations and site-specific training. A consistent record of safety investments reduces the risk of delays, injuries, and liability.

4. Scrutinize Quality Assurance and Control Procedures

Every phase of a tank’s life, from fabrication to commissioning, should be governed by a rigorous quality program. Review the contractor’s QA/QC manual and request sample procedures. These should outline how steel is sourced and tracked, provide details of approved welding procedures, and describe the inspection processes for each build phase.

A comprehensive QA/QC plan will document how the provider manages repairs, coatings, and testing. Inquire about the contractor's method for tracking weld integrity, particularly if your requirements include radiography or advanced ultrasonic thickness testing.

Ensure that both fabrication and field teams are familiar with customer specifications and relevant industry codes. If your procurement involves federal, state, or DOD requirements, ensure the contractor maintains detailed traceability and recordkeeping practices.

5. Evaluate Project Management and Communication Systems

Execution strategies often differentiate an average tank contractor from an industry leader. Ask prospective contractors to outline their approach to project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.

Reliable partners welcome transparent communication about deadlines and reporting expectations. You should receive a project-specific plan that reflects site logistics, crane access, environmental protections, and coordination with other trades.

Request details on how the firm manages schedule updates, progress meetings, weather delays, and RFI handling. Ask for sample project schedules and planning documents. Clear organizational systems make it possible to track progress and avoid scope-related misunderstandings.

6. Clarify Bid Scope, Alternates, and Exclusions

Comparing contractor bids requires careful analysis to verify apples-to-apples proposals. A lower bid might come at the expense of omitted tasks or restrictive exclusions.

Request an itemized scope of work that precisely defines included deliverables: materials, fabrication, delivery, assembly, coatings, inspection, and documentation. Review all listed alternates, reviewing how their acceptance or rejection would impact project results.

Clarify ambiguous terms and resolve discrepancies before proceeding. Ask for samples of submittal documentation and closeout packages. Only enter commitments with a contractor whose proposal is comprehensive, well-organized, and leaves the least room for interpretation.

7. Discuss Surface Preparation and Coating Expertise

The coating system is the primary barrier protecting your tank from corrosion and environmental degradation. Longevity starts with correct abrasive blasting and surface cleaning.

Inquire about the contractor’s experience with high-performance coatings, as well as their track record of following manufacturer specifications and SSPC (Society for Protective Coatings) guidelines.

Ask which team members hold certifications in coatings inspection and surface preparation. Request written procedures for humidity, temperature, and environmental controls during application, plus a list of representative project references. Proper surface treatment and coating application will preserve capital investment and minimize downstream maintenance needs.

8. Plan for Ongoing Support and Lifecycle Services

Completing tank erection is not the end of the relationship. A contractor offering comprehensive tank and tower services can address your needs throughout the asset’s lifecycle, from scheduled inspections and minor repairs to full-scale maintenance, tank demolition, and replacement.

Ask about available inspection programs, warranty offerings, and procedures for emergency repairs. Providers who routinely handle repairs, replacements, and inspections often deliver greater reliability and operational guidance, protecting your long-term investment.

Why You Should Choose Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group

Pittsburg Tank and Tower Group sets the industry benchmark for reliability, expertise, and full-cycle service capabilities. Our portfolio includes projects across water supply, fire protection, petroleum terminals, heavy industry, and high-security defense installations.

Our combined experience in design, fabrication, erection, inspection, maintenance, and demolition, backed by a deep commitment to safe work practices and progressive quality systems, makes us an ideal choice for your next project.

By using these tips for choosing the right tank building contractor, you effectively narrow the field to those ready to partner on critical infrastructure. The effort spent on contractor diligence improves safety outcomes, schedule predictability, and the tank’s long-term performance and value.