A recent study found that 44% of construction money is spent on design builds. Designing, planning, and analyzing a build is exactly what a contractor is paid to do. Although, how do you know if a potential contractor is right for you?
Don’t worry; with this guide, you can find out! We’ve found what you need to know about commercial general contractors. That way, you can hire the best contractor for your business needs.
Now, are you ready to get started? Here’s an in-depth look at hiring commercial contractors:
Commercial Contractor Basic Qualifications
Any type of commercial build requires the expertise of an experienced and knowledgeable contractor. To find the best contractor, look at their portfolio and top skills.
After all, every good contractor should be able to list what they can add to the build. Some basic skills contractors should have include:
- Great attention to detail
- Be able to plan and estimate costs using the correct software
- Have good management skills
- Comprehensive knowledge about commercial building
- Have a range of technical skills to analyze and evaluate projects
Hiring Commercial General Contractors
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to a few potential contractors, ask them what you can expect from them. A good contractor should be able to list off these six items:
1. A Contract
Every contractor should be able to write up a detailed and thorough contract. The contract should include the responsibilities of the contractor, as well as your responsibilities as the business owner.
It should also include project details like the crew’s work schedule, overall project plan, and an itemized price list. For added security, the contract should include a list of the available types of insurance, as well as verify permits and any inspections the build will require. That way, you and the contractor understand the terms of the project, the overall price, and insurance if, for some reason, the project were to fall through.
2. Project Management
For a major commercial build, you’ll need to have a variety of skilled tradespeople working on distinct projects. The contractor will hire each team, so you don’t have to.
After all, you’ll generally need a team of framers, drywallers, plumbers, electricians, and more to complete the build. To ensure the work gets done quickly and efficiently, the contractor will oversee everyone working on the project and schedule them accordingly.
Now, a good contractor will also keep a line of open communication about the project and how each piece is coming along. That way, you know about the project’s process and don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting to help complete the build. If the contractor doesn’t communicate with you about each team’s progress or setbacks, that’s a red flag and a sure sign that they’re not doing their job to the best of their abilities.
3. Financial Awareness
A good commercial contractor always thinks ahead, especially when it comes to finances. That way, setbacks can be avoided to steer clear of costly delays. Sadly, delays can happen, and setbacks occur; however, a good commercial contractor should find a way to get through it without putting financial strain on the project.
In fact, good commercial contractors should always try to keep the project profitable for you and your business. He or she shouldn’t give you excuses; instead, they should provide valuable solutions to make the build stay within your budget.
4. A Detailed Project Schedule
If a contractor doesn’t produce a project schedule before the build starts, run. Project schedules are crucial to the overall progress of a build.
After all, they state the dates the subcontractor’s work should be done and the expected date the project will be finished. Contractors are responsible for producing a schedule and meeting the deadlines they set. If an unfortunate delay occurs, they should talk about it with you and how to shift the schedule to meet your needs.
Project schedules also help you as a business owner because you can keep track if the build is going to plan or being massively delayed. If it’s delayed, you have every right to find a new contractor that will meet the deadlines they set.
5. Top-Notch Safety
A good contractor will ensure that the worksite is safe for all workers and business professionals. If the construction happens while your business is up and running, a good contractor will ensure that there are limited disruptions to your overall business. For example, contractors will quickly clean up any messes left around the construction site and remove unsafe items from walkways.
If you have specific expectations for cleanliness, make sure you talk to your contractor about it. After all, cleaning up is something a contractor will do for you to be nice and courteous; however, they might not have the same daily cleaning standards as you do.
6. Good Organization
Any good contractor will be organized in the way they manage and oversee the build. If they aren’t organized or show organization with how the build is progressing, hire a new contractor.
Organization can help with planning and analyzing a build, so if the contractor isn’t organized, they’ll probably won’t meet deadlines or know if they are going over budget. If a contractor is organized, they will have detailed project schedules, analytic reports on finances, and project deadlines.
Common Questions To Ask
Any contractor looking for work will tell you what you want to hear in order to get the job. So rather than take their word for it, ask questions to ensure you’re expectations will be met.
Do You Have References?
First things first, ask for references; if they can’t give you one to three references, don’t hire them. Good contractors always have references for their best work or similar projects.
Once you have a few references, follow them up. Call the business owner and ask if the contractor was communicative. Ask them if the project had any delays and how the contractor dealt with it.
You can even ask if he or she is satisfied with the build. Their answers will give you insight into whether you’re expectations will be met or let down based on the contractor’s previous jobs.
How Many Projects Do You Work on At The Same Time?
A commercial contractor’s job is highly detailed and, as such, requires much attention. Always ask a contractor but their project load. That way, you can determine if your build will be paid attention to the most or have his or her divided attention.
After all, if the contractor works on multiple jobs simultaneously, their attention to your build will be limited. In order to have a contractor that will meet your expectations, look for a contractor that only handles a few jobs at the same time. That way, the contractor can fully dedicate time to making your build the best it can be.
What Kind of Guarantee Do You Offer for On-Site Deadlines?
Meeting deadlines is a crucial part of a contractor’s job; if they cannot keep up with the deadlines they set, you should know before you hire them. So ask potential candidates if they can guarantee site deadlines, and if not, what will they do to ensure deadlines are met.
For example, will they communicate with you to provide a solution, or will they act without telling you? Their answer will let you know how they work under pressure and how communicative they will be when items need to be changed or deadlines are approaching. Not to mention, this question will help you determine if they’re the right person for the job or if you need to look elsewhere.
Hire a Commercial Contractor Today
Hiring a commercial contractor can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what to expect. When vetting, potential contractors ensure that they all have basic knowledge about how to manage, plan a project, and analyze project finances.
A good contractor should also let you know what to expect of them. They should write up a contract, plan workers’ schedules, and keep in communication with you. That way, you know your project is on track, within budget, and planned to meet your needs.
Contact us today for more information about commercial general contractors near me. Our team will help you with anything you need.