Finding the Right Commercial Construction Company: 7 Tips for Hiring Commercial Contractors

If you’re planning a commercial construction project, the success of your venture largely depends on finding the right contractor. But how do you go about choosing one? Here’s how to do it like a pro.

Key Takeaways:

• Commercial construction projects entail complex processes, specialized expertise, and a significant investment of time and money.
• You need the right team of commercial contractors to ensure your project runs smoothly, stays within budget, and meets all regulatory requirements.
• Research potential contractors, verify their credentials, ask for references, and compare quotes before hiring.
• Negotiate terms to get the best deal, draft a contract with all parties, and sign it before hiring.
• Partnering with a reliable commercial contractor experienced in the nuances of commercial construction designing, execution, and oversight is the best way to ensure a successful project. 

The specialized, labor-intensive, and expensive nature of commercial construction projects requires a reliable and experienced contractor to help you through the process from concept to completion. The right commercial contractors will ensure your project runs smoothly, is completed on time, and meets your quality expectations. An inexperienced contractor can result in costly delays, low-quality work, and budget overruns.

Hiring the right construction company, however, can be a daunting task. It requires diligent research, strategic decision-making, and careful selection of the best available commercial contractors. You’ve worked too hard to waste money on a contractor who won’t guarantee quality results within your budget and timeline. 

This guide provides seven tips to help you find the right commercial construction company.

What can commercial contractors help with?

Commercial construction projects like restaurants, offices, and retail stores involve a lot of complicated steps, from design and planning to procurement, construction, and project closeout. Handling a project of this magnitude requires a specialized contractor with the right expertise and experience. Commercial contractors can help:

• Develop construction plans and design documents
• Adhere to building codes and zoning regulations
• Apply for permits, licenses, and inspections
• Establish project budgets and schedules
• Execute construction projects to completion
• Source materials, supplies, and subcontractors
• Manage construction site safety, quality control, and scheduling
• Analyze project progress, identify potential problems, and provide solutions

Commercial contractors must also be familiar with state and local laws, including labor regulations, insurance requirements, and applicable taxes that can affect your construction project. Experienced contractors understand how to navigate these complexities and can provide valuable guidance throughout the construction process. 

7 tips for hiring the right commercial contractor company

Finding the right commercial contractor for your project is critical to its success. Here are seven tips to help you find the best available contractors:

1. Clarify your project scope, requirements, and goals

Before looking for a contractor, ensure you know exactly what your project entails. Establish the scope of work, budget, timelines, and results you expect. Document any special requirements or preferences you have, and ensure your expectations are realistic and achievable. 

Provide as many details as possible to help contractors estimate their costs and timelines accurately. Doing so will ensure you narrow your pool of potential contractors and attract more qualified candidates.

2. Research and compile a list of potential contractors

Research contractors in your area and compile a list of potential candidates. Reach out to local architects, engineers, real estate agents, or other professionals who can give you recommendations. 

Check out reviews, ratings, and social media profiles to learn more about each contractor’s reputation. If they have a website, check out their portfolio of past projects to assess their work quality, style, and functionality. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is also an excellent resource for researching commercial contractors.

3. Assess their experience and ask detailed questions

Ensure the contractor you intend to hire is reputable and experienced in commercial construction projects. Sure, they may have the credentials, but do they have the experience to back them up? 

Contractors with diverse portfolios of past projects are better equipped to handle any unexpected curveballs that may arise. Ask detailed questions about their previous projects, how they approach problem-solving and conflict resolution, and how they manage budgets and timelines. 

Excellent questions to ask include:

• What types of commercial construction projects have you completed in the past?
• Have you handled projects similar to mine?
• How do you approach communication and problem-solving?
• What strategies do you use to manage budgets and timelines?
• How do you handle unexpected problems and delays?
• What are your payment terms and timeline?
• How soon can you start?

Answering the above questions will help you get a better sense of the contractor’s experience and capabilities.

4. Verify their credentials

Verify the contractor’s license, certifications, insurance, and bonding requirements. All contractors should be properly licensed and insured and carry a surety bond. A surety bond protects the client from financial losses in cases where the contractor fails to complete the project. 

Ask for references that you can contact to get more information on the contractor’s work ethic, communication style, and overall performance. You need a reliable, honest, and transparent contractor.

5. Request quotes and compare bids

Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential contractors, request detailed service quotes and compare them. Quotes should include labor and materials costs, timelines, payment terms, fees, and other applicable charges. 

Compare apples to apples. Verify that each quote is for the same work and materials and that the timelines and payment terms are consistent across all bids. Evaluate each bid based on their experience, quality of work, and pricing.

6. Negotiate

You don’t have to accept the contractor’s initial bid. Negotiate terms, payment schedules, and timelines to get the best deal but be careful not to push too hard. You want a contractor who is confident in their work and won’t cut corners to save a few bucks. 

You can find creative ways to reduce costs, such as using cheaper materials, prefabrication, or offsite construction. Remember, your goal is not always to get the lowest price but to find a contractor who can provide quality work within your budget.

7. Review and sign the contract

Once you have identified the contractor you want to hire, review and sign the contract. Get it in writing so all parties know expectations and responsibilities. Include detailed information such as payment terms, timelines, materials costs, labor costs, permit requirements, warranties, and contingencies. 

A well-drafted contract is a legally binding document that will protect both parties and provide a roadmap for the project. Have a qualified lawyer review the contract before signing to ensure all terms and conditions comply with applicable laws. Make the hire and get the project started.

The complex nature of commercial construction projects necessitates careful consideration and due diligence when selecting a commercial contractor. Follow the above tips, and you will be well on your way to finding the right contractor to deliver quality work within your budget and timeline.

Why RPC General Contractors?

RPC General Contractors is an experienced, licensed, and bonded general contractor specializing in commercial construction projects of all sizes. We take pride in our commitment to quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction and boast a proven track record of success. 

We can help with conceptualization, project planning, budgeting, and execution. You can trust us to handle your project with expertise, integrity, and professionalism. Contact RPC General Contractors today for a free estimate on your next commercial construction project.