How to Select a Commercial Contractor
Selecting a commercial contractor is a big decision. In many cases, there is a lot of money at stake and a tight timeline. To find the right commercial contractor, make sure that you do your due diligence. This article will show you how.
Identifying What You Need
Before you begin your search for a commercial contractor, it is important to be totally clear on what you need. A great plan sets the tone for a smooth process and sets you up for success whether you are building a restaurant, office building, hospital, or mixed-use space.
Do your best to differentiate between wants and needs. It might even be a good idea to rank aspects of the project out based on importance so that when it comes time to choose a contractor, it’s easier to lay out a budget. Attempting to distinguish between wants and needs during the building process is rarely a recipe for success, and can slow down the process of finding a commercial contractor considerably.
Finding a Commercial Contractor
As with any significant project, word-of-mouth referrals tend to speak loudest. If you have heard of exceptional work from a contractor in your area or the reverse of low quality or incomplete work, that can go a long way. Consulting with people that you trust is a great way to start building a list of names that you can work off of.
Once you have a list gathered, it’s time to start checking references. A firm should be able to tell you who else they have performed work for, and be able to demonstrate examples of past work with their portfolio. In this stage, it’s important to note specializations and identify if the contractor has worked on similar projects in the past.
How to Find a Contractor That Goes Above and Beyond
When it comes to the world of commercial contracting, the lowest price isn’t always your best bet. You usually get what you pay for, so going with a more experienced firm with a more specialized portfolio could be the difference between a dream outcome and a mediocre one. Remember: this is a long term investment you are making. Treat it as such.
Additionally, you should take a deep dive into the commercial contractor’s website to find out additional information, project specialties, and past completed projects.
But most importantly, you want to go with a contractor where you can build a productive relationship. The building or renovation of commercial property should be a joint effort between developer and contractor, with both sides open and listening to one another.
Looking for a place to start? Here at Carlton Building Services, we’ve been trusted to build and renovate commercial properties across Virginia. We’d love for you to take a look at our portfolio or reach out with any additional questions that you may have.
If you feel like we could foster a productive relationship and build based on your specialty, your contractor search could be shorter than you’d bargained for! But whoever you go with—best of luck on your search!
