From small projects to major undertakings, choosing the right commercial general contractor is absolutely imperative to your success.
Not all contractors are the same, so it’s crucial to find one you know you can trust and one with an excellent track record.
Before you hire your next general contractor, read on for some tips to help you through the process for a more streamlined experience.
Choose Truly Experienced Professionals
Think about what your goals are and what you’re attempting to build before you search for the right commercial general contractor. You need to be sure whoever you hire specializes in commercial rather than residential construction so they design and build everything to the right specifications.
In addition to their expertise, true professional construction contractors are fully licensed and have no problems presenting their licenses to you when asked. They should also carry insurance and should be bonded whenever possible.
Ask the commercial building contractors you’re interested in if they have a portfolio they can share. Examine their past jobs and if you’re able, visit a few of the buildings they’ve built to give you a sense of their quality of work.
Once you feel confident you’ve found an experienced general contractor, make sure they’re doing everything needed to complete the project. A professional general contractor is in charge of all aspects of the build from start to finish. This usually includes everything from the initial blueprints to obtaining permits to managing subcontractors.
Above all else, excellent communication is key to a successful build and a good experience. Your contractor should be in contact with you on a regular basis and should be easy to reach whenever you need them or have questions. Plan to work side by side with your contractor throughout the process until it’s finished.
Researching Your Commercial General Contractor
If this is your first commercial project, it’s wise to get a few references when searching for the right construction contractor. Your lender or other people in your industry are both great places to start.
Ask others who they used for their projects and get an honest review of the work and their experience. Read reviews online including any information you can find from agencies like the Better Business Bureau.
It’s up to you to do your homework when looking for a contractor, so take your time and dig into their past so you feel confident about your decision. You should also create a list of questions to ask each one to help you in the search. Write down their answers as you go, since it’ll be easier to refer to them later on paper.
One important thing to keep in mind as you do your research is to find out if the contractor is in line with your specific industry. For example, you may need one type of contractor if you’re building a shopping center, and another if you’re planning to construct a warehouse or manufacturing plant. This will greatly depend on the individual general contractor; some small companies may be industry specific while mid to large general contractors typically work in multiple industries. You can see from our portfolio that we specialize in all industries within commercial construction.
Get a good feel for the contractors you talk to in order to determine if you think they’d be a good partner. Remember, a commercial project takes money, time, and effort, so you want to be sure you’re working with someone you can trust and get along with.
Bidding Your Project
After you’ve compiled a list of contractors you want to work with and performed a few interviews, it’s time to ask for formal proposals or bids. A quality contractor should ask the right questions when they look at your drawings.
If the building contractor has concerns or questions, be sure you’re ready and able to answer them promptly. The more information you provide, the more accurate the final bid will be which can also save you money in the long run.
Bids allow you to determine if your budget and your plans are in line and on track, so this part of the process is the most important. Compare the bids you receive with the information you have from each contractor. It’s also wise to add a little extra money to the big to cover things like change orders or cost overruns.
When possible, ask the contractor to sit down with you and go over the plans together. Let them explain their goals, timeline, and plans for completion so you feel confident about choosing them to work on your construction project.
There are a few ways you can determine how to select your final bid. One is the price, since your budget is likely the top priority. Other things to consider are the reputation of the contractor, the proposed timeline, and your opinion on how well the contractor will communicate to get the job done quickly.
Take the Guesswork Out of Choosing Your Contractor
With the right amount of legwork, research, and communication, choosing a commercial general contractor doesn’t have to be stressful. Take your time and make sure you keep the lines of communication open so your contractor understands your goals and budget.
In the end, you should have a well-built facility that allows you to expand your business and do the things you need to be successful.
For more information about our services or to schedule a discovery call, visit our website, or contact us today.