How to Choose the Best Design Build Contractors for Your Project

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Colorado saw one of the biggest increases in new business in the summer of 2023. If you are one of the thousands to get your business model off the ground, you may be preparing to open your first brick and mortar location.

Building your own commercial property will ensure that you have the exact location and floor plan you need to support your new or growing business. Design build contractors can bring your vision to life without the hassle of juggling several different construction firms at once.

How can you find the best design build contractors for your next construction project? These days, it’s not as simple as picking up a phone book and calling the first company you find.

Read on to learn how to choose the best design build contractors for your commercial construction.

Why Choose Design Build Contractors?

If this is your first time starting a construction project from the ground up, you might not realize all of the work that it entails. First, you need architects, engineers, and designers to take your ideas and turn them into a functional building design. By functional, we mean a building that not only looks good but also meets all relevant building and fire codes, can withstand your local weather patterns, and accounts for any property irregularities.

Then you need someone to secure all of the proper permits and get to work on the actual construction. Throughout the construction process, you’re going to want regular updates, especially when something unexpected happens. In fact, regular communication from start to finish is a must on any major construction project.

If you don’t go the design build route, all of these steps will require separate contractors. You’ll need to coordinate communication between each contractor involved and you’ll have multiple bills to pay when the job is complete. Even something as seemingly simple as securing a loan is more complicated when you’re trying to cover several different estimates.

A design build company takes care of every step under the same roof. In other words, a single company employs all of the contractors you need, from architects to construction workers, to complete the job. Design build contractors streamline the construction process and can reduce both costs and your construction timeline.

Finding the Best Contractors for the Job

Now that you know why design build contractors are the best choice for your commercial construction project, it’s time to talk about narrowing down your options. Read on for some of the most important considerations to make when searching for a contracting firm that will not only execute but exceed your expectations.

Opt for Local Construction Firms

Maybe you happen to know someone in the design build industry, but their firm is located on the other side of the state. Should you hire them even though they don’t have local experience? The answer is no.

Commercial construction requires a working knowledge of local laws. This is because local governments are responsible for enacting and enforcing building and fire codes. Any new construction or remodel project needs to be compliant with local code or the property owner could face serious fines and repercussions.

Legal knowledge isn’t the only thing a local contractor can offer. Commercial property design needs to account for climate in the form of:

  • Roof grades and materials
  • Insulation
  • HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems
  • Foundation type

A contractor that is unfamiliar with your climate may not design a property with proper temperature and weather protection built in.

Seek Out Referrals

Once you’ve got a selection of local contractors to choose from, it’s time to find out what their previous clients think. If you know any business or commercial property owners, start by talking to them. What design build contracting firms have they heard good things about or worked with in the past?

If you can’t secure any recommendations from people you know, turn to online reviews. Websites like Google Reviews offer testimony from previous clients, including star ratings and written feedback. Pay attention to what those clients say about customer service, pricing, efficiency, and quality.

To learn more, ask each contractor for a list of referrals. Getting in contact with previous clients will allow you to ask questions that haven’t been satisfactorily answered online.

Verify Licensing

Never hire a contractor without first verifying that they’re licensed. Licensing entails that contractors have met state standards to work within their industry. In construction and design, this is crucial.

An unlicensed contractor likely doesn’t have the proper credentials. They might design a dangerous building or fail to secure permits before starting construction. They might cut corners or charge unfair prices.

Licensing doesn’t guarantee the highest quality of work. However, licensed contractors have met the minimum qualifications to work in the field, which is better than the alternative. Request that your contractors provide proof of licensing before signing any contracts.

Verify Insurance

Working with unlicensed professionals can have serious financial consequences, as well. If a contractor is unlicensed, they’re probably also uninsured, leaving you liable for:

  • Property damage
  • Local fines and fees
  • Injuries that occur at your construction site
  • Injuries that result from poor craftsmanship

Commercial insurance doesn’t just cover these kinds of liabilities. It also covers unexpected costs that can otherwise sink a business. Uninsured contractors could fold in the middle of your construction project, leaving you with an unfinished property.

Assess Previous Experience

Take a look at your contractor’s portfolio. Like reviews, this can give you insight into a design build company, such as:

  • The types of buildings they’ve built
  • The industries they’ve partnered with
  • Aesthetic trends and styles
  • The size and scope of typical projects

Previous experience can help you decide which company is best equipped for the job. If, for example, you want to build a warehouse, you won’t want to hire a contractor that only has high-rise experience. If you love a contractor’s work but don’t see anything similar to your project in their portfolio, feel free to ask if your project is within their scope.

Consider Your Construction Budget

A full design build project can add up in cost quickly. While you don’t want to sacrifice quality for the lowest price, you also don’t want to over-extend your resources. Assessing a realistic construction budget before you hire a contractor can make for a much smoother process.

All construction projects are different, meaning that no contractor can provide a one-size-fits-all quote. To get a sense of what each contractor would charge for your project, you’ll need to provide some key details. Request quotes from multiple contractors to find one that fits your expectations and your budget.

One of the benefits of design build contractors is that they can provide a single quote, making it easier to determine your maximum loan amount. Getting loan approval early on can give you a realistic idea of what you can afford to pay for your new build project.

Request a Consultation

You can learn a lot about design build contractors online by looking at their website and reviews. However, you shouldn’t jump to any conclusions without having a real conversation first.

An in-person or virtual consultation gives you the opportunity to ask clarifying questions about:

  • Licensing and insurance
  • Years and location of experience
  • Estimated cost
  • Communication methods
  • Availability
  • Estimated timeline
  • Company size

When you’re hiring design build contractors, you’re hiring an entire team of people who you will be working with for several months. Not only should you have your logistical questions answered, but you should also assess your level of trust and comfort with your contractors before making your final choice.

Read the Contract

Though design build contractors may advertise similar services, they’re not all operating on the same business model. You need to have a clear sense of what services your contractor will provide, when they will provide them, and how much they will cost. The best way to make sure that you’re on the same page is to read the fine print.

If the contract you’re given seems sparse, ask for something more thorough. A solid construction contract should get into the minute details, including who will be responsible for communication oversight and construction management. If something goes awry during your construction project, it’s important to know who will be held accountable for getting things back on track.

Reading the contract and finding it satisfactory is the last step toward finding the best design build contractors for your commercial building project.

Call Hammers Construction for Your Design Build Project

Design build contractors can take the headache out of your upcoming commercial construction project. By working in sync, everyone from your architect to your construction manager will remain on the same page. This guide will help you find the design build contractors that exceed all of your expectations.

If you’re ready to break ground in Denver, Colorado Springs, or the front range, consider Hammers Construction. We’re proud to be one of the oldest family design and construction businesses in the state. Let us know about your project and we’ll set up a consultation.

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About Hammers Construction

Over 60 years ago, Steve and Dave Hammers’ father began a commercial construction company in Northern Minnesota. Steve and Dave are carrying on the family tradition and passion for design-build construction. In 1986, the business bearing the family name, expanded to the Rocky Mountains. In 1991, Hammers Construction, Inc. (HCI) became an independent entity in Colorado Springs, CO. Over the years, HCI has earned a reputation for honesty, integrity, and professionalism in the very unique design-build construction industry.

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