Business owners do not have the experience needed to build commercial spaces. They rely on commercial contractors for this. The problem is there are so many contractors out there that it is quite difficult to make the right choice. Who do you choose will drastically impact the success of the entire project.
The good news is you can find the very best commercial contractor for you, as long as you know what to ask or look for. This is why you should always think about the following things when you need the help of a specialist. It does not matter if the project is an elaborate commercial renovation or new construction.
Years Of Experience
Always work only with the general contractor that has been servicing clients for a very long period of time. If this is not the case, the contractor should at least have specific experience with the type of project you need to get done.
Remember that general contracting is often an industry that moves way faster than it should. You can so easily end up exposed to really shady constructions or undelivered buildouts. The general contractors that have been around for several years most likely do something really good. Also, it is much easier to learn information about them.
Working On Projects Similar To Yours
One of the biggest mistakes you could make is to hire residential contractors for your commercial construction. Also, you should be aware of the fact that not all commercial construction companies are a really good fit for your needs.
As an example, let’s say that you need to build office space. In this case, the contractor needs experience with exactly this type of project. Someone that is experienced in commercial renovations will not be a good fit. They will also most likely not be able to build construction warehouses.
Subcontractors And Project Managers
The general contractor is just as great as the weakest subs. It works with subcontractors. So, if the subcontractors are not really good, the project will not work great and the project will most likely not be delivered on time.
When you talk with the contractor, you need to ask questions about the experience of the project manager and you should always discuss how subcontractors are handled. Also, remember that the manager also needs specific experience with the type of project you need to be taken care of.
Licenses, Insurance, And Bonds
The commercial contractor you hire should always be licensed, insured, and bonded. Based on the state of the operation, the general contractor might not need these things in order to operate. This can leave you quite vulnerable in the event that something goes bad.
Take things one step further and ask for details about the licenses and insurances. See exactly what happens in the event a problem appears. Such small attention to detail can easily lead to choosing a much better contractor.
Discuss Project Duration
When discussing terms with the commercial contractor, you need to set specific expectations, including timelines. The contractor will offer a timeline and it needs to be suitable for your needs.
When you discuss the timelines, you have to be sure that you also talk about commitment. For instance, what happens in the event that a specific deadline is not respected? Consequences and penalties have to be included in the contract you sign with the contractor. A failure to do this can only lead to serious problems down the road.
Discuss Payment Schedule
It is very important that you know exactly how payments will be handled. The contractor is going to bill in specific ways. However, you need to analyze what is presented before you accept.
You should never pay for the project in full, especially at the start. You need to start with a simple down payment. Then, you would pay progress payments. When the project is over, the final payment is made.
In the contract, make sure to discuss what is needed in order for the final payment to be made.
Specific Skills And Experience
When you compare different commercial contractors, you need to see why you want to choose one instead of another. This is why you should actually ask what sets apart the contractor you analyze from the rest.
Experienced commercial contractors tend to have several connections. This can easily expedite the entire process. These contractors even have better subcontractors or project managers. Based on project size, the fact that you hire a very active contractor might be ideal. However, the exact opposite can also apply.
Talk About Plan Design
Will the contractor use hired architects and engineers? Or is the contractor outsourcing this part of the project? It is even possible that you know someone that will handle plan design and you want the work to be done by that individual.
When Will The Project Start?
There is this common misconception that the contractor will be able to start the project whenever you want him to. In reality, there might be other projects that need to be handled first. Timelines tend to vary drastically from a project to the next. They can also be influenced by whether or not you need a full rebuild.
Contractors see what they have available and they schedule subcontractors based on their own timelines. Obviously, for you, the sooner the commercial contractor can start, the better. However, do not be blinded by this. Make sure that the deadlines are also appropriate. A contractor that starts later might be able to finish the project faster.
Warranties And Guarantees
Construction materials will settle after construction. Also, wood framing can lose a large part of its mass during the first year after the installation because water evaporates. This can easily cause nails in the drywall to crack and pop. This is true even if contractors are very experienced and can do very good work.
Because of this, you need to talk to the contractor about warranties and guarantees. They have to be included in writing for them to be active though.
The Last 3 Projects
A great way to quickly determine if the commercial contractor is a good fit or not is to look at the past 3 projects. In this industry, it is actually very common to deliver late and miss deadlines. When you see that the contractor had such problems with those 3 projects, it might be a good idea to work with someone else. This is because there is a pretty good possibility the commercial contractor will also miss your deadlines.
Project Cost Guarantees
Most contractors lock in prices with their subcontractors for a specific time after the initial bid is made. This is why you have to be sure that the project starts within that specific timeline. When this is not the case, pricing changes.
As a client, you have to analyze the contract and see what is written when it comes to costs. Are there some sort of guarantees included? If they are not present, you might end up having to pay a whole lot more than you initially thought.
Job Safety Record
Having high attention to safety and detail is vital when you work in construction. When the safety record is strong, it means that the considered commercial contractor really cares about employees. This is a clear sign that you work with someone that is very good and that should be taken into account.
When the safety record of the contractor is poor, there is pretty good possibility corners are being cut. This means you will get low-quality work done for you.
Check References
Checking references is a great way to choose who to hire, regardless of what you need to get done. When the contractor is very experienced, there is a pretty good possibility you will get to check some references that it offers. Contact past clients so that you see how projects were handled in the past.
Do not blindly trust a list of references. This is one of the worst things you could do since people lie all the time. Actually, call the references and ask all questions you might have.
The Use Of Local Suppliers
When the suppliers are local, the commercial contractor has much more control. This includes getting all the materials needed on time and actually finishing the projects on time. When supplies are sourced from a location out of state, there might be several delays that could happen during transit or due to embargoes, just to mention a couple of possible scenarios. Local supplier use is highly preferred.
Estimates And Fixed Prices
You need to know exactly what you get into before hiring a commercial contractor. When you are offered just an estimate, the budget can easily be destroyed in a short timeframe.
Basically, it is very important that costs are fixed before the project moves forward. This drastically limits the possibility of dealing with overruns. Controlling budgets is always something you have to think about. As before, make sure that everything is included in the contract you sign.
By Andrew Simmons
Bio – Andrew Simmons is an experienced digital marketing consultant and a passionate blogger. He has a vast knowledge of search media and online advertising to promote online branding and reputation. He loves to share his industry knowledge and experience with readers.