The number of commercial buildings in the United States increased from about 4.6 million to 5.9 million from 1995 to 2018.
This has lead to an increased demand for commercial general contractors since companies are often reticent to build buildings themselves, preferring to rely on outside help.
Want to learn what to look for when hiring a commercial general contractor of your own? Read on.
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What Is a Commercial General Contractor?
A Commercial General Contractor is an organization or person that you hire to complete a task.
They are not a part of your company directly but work for you on a contractual basis.
Companies like Sgt Ponce Construction Inc. can help you find a commercial general contractor that will fit your needs.
They offer a wide range of contracting services, including commercial, residential, and new construction.
Here are the top five things to look for in a commercial general contractor.
1. Reasonable Cost
This is one of the most important things to check when hiring a commercial general contractor. Always get more than one bid and compare those prices to each other.
If one contractor is more expensive than the others, ask yourself why. Do they have more experience? Is their portfolio better than the other contractors? If not, discard them and move on to the next.
Never pay more than you need to for a contractor. Pay a reasonable amount, but nothing more.
2. Adequate Experience
Contractors must have experience dealing with the type of construction you want them to perform. If they are very experienced in one type, it doesn’t mean that they are equally as proficient in all types.
In general, you don’t want your project to be your contractor’s first. Instead, you want someone who has proven himself through the years.
3. Proven Record
This is somewhat related to the contractor’s experience. Always look at your contractor’s portfolio. Have they proven that they can consistently deliver excellent results?
You can also contact their past employers. Do they give them good reviews? You don’t want to hire someone whom their past employer would not recommend.
4. Proper Licensing and Certifications
Many states require contractors to be licensed with the state. Make sure that the commercial general contractors you work with are properly licensed and certified.
Not only will this ensure that you stay on the right side of the law, but it will also make sure that you get the best quality product.
Licenses and certifications exist to protect people. Unsafe builders make unsafe buildings, which could collapse on the inhabitants.
5. Good Communication
This may seem superfluous, but communication is integral to the contractor’s job.
They will need to communicate with you where they are in the job and how long they think it will take to finish.
Additionally, they will need to effectively communicate how much they think the job will cost and convey that information to you through a quote.
If a contractor is hesitant to give you a quote or seems dodgy when you ask about price, that is a huge red flag. Proceed with caution and make them talk straight to you about the price.
Go Forth and Construct
With these tips, you can be sure that you are hiring the best commercial contractor out there.
Remember: always scrutinize your contractors and make sure that you are hiring professional workers who will turn out a great product.
If you remember those things, you’re sure to succeed! Feel free to browse around the rest of this section for more construction tips.
