Although it might seem like a relatively simple choice, hiring the right commercial contractor to handle a major remodel or construction can be an extremely important choice to make. Choosing the wrong contractor can have consequences that you will have to deal with for years, maybe even decades to come. In other words, you want to get it right the first time.
We at RCS Construction would love for you to consider us for any and all work and whether or not you go with us, we want you to be happy with your choice. Bad contractors hurt the reputations of everyone in the industry, and we’d much rather see someone happy with another contractor than justifiably angry at the entire industry. So with that in mind, here are three common mistakes people make when hiring a contractor.
Hire Based Only on Price
This is probably the most common mistake people make when they choose a contractor, and it can also be one of the most disastrous and potentially the most expensive mistake. It’s obviously tempting to look at two proposals that look similar and just go with the less expensive one. If it really were that simple, things would be much easier, but you have to know why one commercial contractor is less expensive than the other before making your decision.
Sometimes a lower cost means that the people doing the work may not be specialists in one of the fields for your upcoming commercial contractor project. Most commercial contractors can complete all of the basics of a remodel themselves, but if you want something special, you may need to use a contractor that specializes, or at least uses a third-party that specializes, in that type of project. There’s a big difference between someone that can design and build a new restaurant and someone that can just install new windows.
Aside from the quality of the work, the lower bid may also be lower in part because of the materials being used. For example, certain types of wood are cheaper than others, but that doesn’t make it the best material for the job. Do you want something that may fall apart in a few years, or would you rather pay a little more to have something that lasts for decades? All of this will be reflected in the bid and sometimes by paying less, you will end up paying much, much more in the long run.
Fail to Check References
When you are getting closer to choosing a commercial contractor, before you finalize any deal you should check their references. Don’t just check with former customers, but with the state as well. Check to see if they are properly licensed, which you can typically do quickly and easily online, and most states have a website that allows you to simply type in the contractor’s name to check their status. As long as they are active, you should be fine, but you should also check with the local Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any outstanding issues to be aware of.
Once you have checked all of that, ask the commercial contractor for a list of previous customers. Contact as many as you are comfortable with and ask as many questions as they have time for. Some questions you can ask are how happy are they with the work that was completed, get details about how long the project took, were there any delays, and whether or not they would recommend them to friends.
Don’t Get Everything in Writing
When working with a commercial contractor or any type of contractor, you should always get everything in writing. This includes the initial proposal to the contract to begin work and make sure you read everything thoroughly. The contract is meant to protect both you and the contractor, and it is legally binding so be sure that everything is signed before any work begins. Every contract should clearly display the estimated costs, determine the scope of work, confirm a payment schedule, and have contingencies in place for any additional charges or delays. Most contractors will actually insist on a written contract, so make sure your contractor is one of them because having firm policies in place just makes everything smoother and easier.
Research The Commercial Contractor
The contractor should have outstanding scores on numerous reputable business pages and directories. Be aware of construction companies that don’t have that reputation regardless of how many years they may have in the construction industry. Expertise and credibility are important, but all affect differently.
Commercial Contractor License
A licensed contractor is a professional serious about running a good and trustworthy company. The certification is also a symbol of a willingness to abide by municipal building codes. In addition, the contractor can only obtain the requisite license after taking the necessary training as well as passing various examinations. The contractor must have verifiable approval from the relevant building agencies and authorities with these qualifications and certifications.
Make sure you ask the contractor to provide proof of license and the different qualifications. The license should be with the same name and the same info. If that’s not the case then you should be careful to employ a construction firm like that. In addition, the license provides you the confidence that you should not have a problem with the services provided, if not, you will be able to file a complaint with the relevant regulatory agencies.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
They can negate the manufacturer’s warranty and thereby raise total repair costs. A poor approach to problem-solving is just a temporary solution, and this can lead to greater, more expensive problems down the road.
Proof Of Insurance
If the construction company is covered, this ensures you and your property are safe from any harm or complications that can occur during the building process. Therefore it excludes you from injury liability. It also means the client is safeguarded. Before you employ, the contractor you employ will have to provide proof of insurance.
If you are looking for a professional, skillful, and experienced commercial general contractor to create your next commercial construction project plan, we believe you should work with us. We have a keen eye when it comes to commercial construction project planning by following the successive stages of modern construction, a proven track record of happy customers, and the ability to take your ideas and bring them to life. When you sit down with our commercial general contractors, we discuss your building project ideas in depth. This way, we at RCS Construction can see your vision and bring your design plan to life. Contact us to learn about our commercial construction services, what kind of industries we serve, and what planning and design resources we offer.