Choosing to embark on a commercial project is a very exciting project. And even more so if you are going to be building or renovating a space to house your new commercial project.
However commercial construction is quite different from residential projects normally the scale is much larger, and they are constructed in quite different ways from a typical home build.
Not to mention if your commercial project requires specialist equipment then your commercial building will have to be designed with this in mind. So, when it comes to building a commercial structure or renovating an existing one it is important that you hire a professional outfit you need to hire a commercial construction contractor.
Commercial construction contractors are specialists in these types of projects and will assist you from the design phase all the way up to the completion of the project. However, finding the right commercial construction contractor can prove to be a difficult task.
However, I hope by the end of this article you will have all the information you need to choose a commercial construction contractor that is perfect for your project.
Research is key to any project, and it is equally very important here. You should prior to engaging a commercial construction contractor spend the time to get to know them and the projects they have worked on in the past. Every commercial project has different demands and specifications, so it is important to find one that has experience working on projects similar to your requirements.
Having a successful track record in business is crucial to its success and that applies here too. Any professional commercial construction contractor will have a track record of success and should be able to demonstrate this to you in the form of references and with images and plans of previously completed projects. This demonstrates their competence and also provides you some physical evidence to help you decide if they would be an ideal partner to undertake your project.
As with any part of life or business communication is key and the communication with your commercial construction contractor has to exemplary from the offset. You are effectively trusting this company to design and build a core piece of your business so it is imperative that you can communicate with them effectively and clearly.
Do bear in mind that most contractors will typically communicate via telephone so if you would require extensive email communication then be sure to mention that when discussing the terms of the partnership with any potential commercial construction contractor.
We did touch on this above but let’s look at it in a little more detail. There are many commercial construction contractors out there who are experienced in their own right. Any typically general commercial experience will be suitable for the majority of projects.
However, if you work in a specialist field such as science then you may require specific installations and materials to be used if this is the case its important you find a commercial construction contractor that has experience in this particular area.
As with anything you will want to check that they are qualified and licensed to carry out the work. Most states require commercial construction contractors to have specific licenses so be sure to check these before engaging in any agreement with them.
Additionally, if the company will use any partner companies for any specific elements of the build like electrical or gas work then you will want to check this too.
Insurance is crucial accidents happen on building projects all the time it is just the nature of the job. If a company does not have insurance, then you can end up footing the bill for any expensive repairs that may arise. My golden rule is no insurance no work. Make sure you see a copy of your commercial construction contractor’s insurance before allowing any work to take place.
The details of their insurance should also be in the service contract that you enter in to with the contractor.
To summarize finding a suitable and qualified commercial construction contractor can be one of the most important commercial decisions you ever make. As such you should be very rigorous and thorough with your research and if you have any doubts about a contractor then go back to the drawing board and find another one. It is not worth taking the risk and hiring a potentially bad contractor that can cost you time and money.