If you’ve found this article, chances are you’re looking for a commercial contractor for your next project. If you’ve hired a commercial contractor before, you know the hiring process is crucial to ensuring budgets, timelines, and design implementation; and can be daunting.  If you’ve never hired a commercial contractor before, just breathe. This blog offers some much-needed clarity to what it means to hire the “right” commercial contractor for your next (or first) project.

We work with many different contractors all over the country so we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, and we have some insight on what the difference is between a good general contractor….and a great one.

Why hire a commercial contractor in the first place?

As a building owner, your time is best spent operating your business and overseeing your investment. A commercial contractor is a critical aspect of saving you time and money. Not only will your contractor manage and guide the progress of your build, but they will ensure the proper use of the budget, systemize the day-to-day construction, and oversee the efficient completion of the project.

Based on the needs of your project, your contractor should be able to handle the following for you:

  • Architecture and Design (if not hired separately)
  • zoning regulations
  • permitting
  • supply purchases
  • building codes adherence

Trust us, obtaining permits and supervising regulations can be an overwhelming feat for you without a building contractor. Often municipalities are more accustomed to working with licensed professionals, i.e. commercial contractors, than the building owners. Which means the processes for obtaining permits are often expedited using a commercial contractor.  

What is the “Right” commercial contractor for my project?

There are a lot of commercial contractors out there. There are some that operate locally, regionally, and nationally – with multiple offices. There are some that can handle skyscrapers, many who prefer much smaller builds. Some contractors are LEED Accredited and focus on green building practices, creating LEED Certified buildings. Others other only build schools, or multifamily residential, or offices, or malls. The point is, most commercial contractors have a specialty.

The right commercial contractor is one whose specialties match the needs of your project.

What Else Should I Look for When Hiring a Commercial Contractor?

Assuming you’ve found a few contractors that specialize in the type of building your building, let’s skip ahead a little to the bid process.

The “Bid”

Once the commercial contractors of your choice have reviewed your project with an architect, they will establish costs and timeline – together, these comprise the contractor’s “bid”. A bid should be detailed. It may be a lot to read, but contractors that provide tons of detail, have probably put tons of thought into your project – the detail is worth spending time on.

If a contractor would like to present their bid, let them. The truth is, a presentation/discussion about the bid gives you the opportunity to see how the firm presents itself as a whole, as well as their communication style and ability to guide you through the process. Take notes and ask questions, and make sure the desired scope for your project is spot on. Otherwise, when comparing two or three bids, you could be looking at the difference between apples in one hand and oranges in the other.

The Communication

Early in the process, sometimes even before the bid, pay attention to the contractor’s communication. Are they easily available via email? Phone? How long do they take to get back with you? Do they do what they say they’re going to do?

If it’s not brought up in the bid, be sure to ask how and how often the contractor’s project manager will provide updates. If you prefer weekly, or even daily updates, don’t hesitate to ask. Gauge their reaction. If it seems at all like an inconvenience, that’s probably a red flag that you could have communication issues with that contractor down the road.

Regulatory Approvals

This may seem obvious, but we can’t overstate it: choose a contractor that is familiar with the local zoning, licensing, and permitting laws. Many states and local municipalities will have different zoning laws and permit processes. They often can have significant insurance requirements, including in many cases requiring commercial contractors to be bonded as well. Compare the licenses and coverages between contractors as it can vary tremendously.

Give yourself time to hire.

We think the best advice we could give you, would be to start the contractor hiring process early. Hiring the right contractor takes longer than most expect. It can also delay the drawing of plans, acquiring the permits, and the project completion date. As you’re searching, give yourself plenty of time to reach out to several commercial contractors. With some, it will be pretty obvious right away if they’re a surface level fit for your project. Invite your favorites to the bid process to dig deeper, and hire the contractor that makes you feel the most comfortable.

Let NAC Help!

We’re a full-service construction administration consultancy. This means we have the expertise to perform regular inspections of the construction project, monitor your project schedule, assess any change orders, review lien waivers, and yes – even recommend a stellar contractor in the first place.

Reach out to us and what can talk about it!