Choosing the right commercial contractor for your new construction project is one of the most
important decisions you will make, but that doesn’t mean it has to be overwhelming or rely on
luck. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that you end up with someone you can
depend on and collaborate with quickly for the entire project. So, let’s take a look at how to
choose contractors.
The first step is to collect a pool of potential candidates through online resources,
recommendations from people who have recently completed similar projects, or construction
trade magazines. You want to find contractors who specialize in commercial construction
because there are a lot of specific requirements in commercial construction, and you will benefit
significantly from working with someone who already knows commercial construction terrain.
Once these candidates are assembled, you’ll want to verify their experience and ensure they
have the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle your project. Ask questions about their
previous projects and ensure they have the relevant experience. Each construction job has its
unique challenges, but the right contractor should have enough similar projects completed.
Hence, they are familiar with the challenges they might encounter in this project. Don’t be afraid
to ask many questions and verify their references.
Commercial construction contractors must hold various licenses and insurance to cover general
liability and workers’ compensation at the bare minimum. If you hire a commercial building
contractor who lacks adequate coverage, you could be held accountable for any incidents that
could occur.
Evaluating how well you can communicate with your commercial contractor is also paramount.
You should assess how well you can share with them and how efficiently and effectively they
communicate with others. Commercial projects require the collaboration and coordination of
many parties throughout the process, and poor communication is one of the most common
reasons for projects that go over budget or fail to be completed promptly.
Once you narrow your options down, you can ask for detailed commercial construction quotes.
Remember, the lowest quote isn’t automatically the best. Be sure to evaluate the entire scope of
what is offered, including experience and previous client’s experience with the quality of work
provided.
Once you’ve chosen a contractor, ensure you have the appropriate counsel on the contract to
ensure you have all the information about what you agree to in your project. Taking enough time
to set yourself up with the right contractor at the beginning of your project will allow you to move
efficiently and effectively through to the completion of your project without the type of snags that
may persist if you rush through this process.
