A Commercial Contractor is a general contractor who specializes in commercial projects such as builds and remodels of roads, public parks, schools, office space, parking structures, restaurants, and retail buildings. They supervise all aspects of a commercial construction project.
Their main duties include hiring and training Subcontractors, applying for the necessary licenses, building permits. and providing hands-on supervision and guidance to workers on the site.
A Hiring Checklist
Commercial construction projects are expensive, lengthy, and require complex work, it is therefore critical to hire someone with the right professional ethics and expertise. The following is a recommended hiring checklist:
Communicates Well and Listens – A building contractor who is quick to respond, presents ideas clearly, and answers your questions with honesty. Since the commercial contractor you choose will function as your single point of contact who will translate your vision to their team of professionals, they must be a reliable professional who observes nonverbal cues, maintains eye contact, asks constructive questions, and reflects on important points for effective client and project management.
Is Organized and Detail-Oriented – In addition to being highly organized, a contractor must exhibit attention to details. Successful commercial contractors will be able to notice even the most trivial problems and rectify them before they escalate. Whether it is the on-site supervision of the construction work or the paperwork attention to detail, a reputable general contractor will display both on the ground and behind skills.
Industry Knowledge – An Effective Commercial Contractor must possess a deep understanding of building codes, safety regulations, and best practices in the construction industry. They also should have knowledge of industry trends, market demands, and impacts of current affairs on the project.
Provides a Reasonable Bid – Reputable Commercial builders with excellent financial insight establish realistic schedules, develop contingency plans, and evaluate alternatives for controlling project costs. Lower bids often indicate that the construction firm will use substandard materials, hire inexperienced labor, or will introduce actual cost overruns upon project completion.
Has a Positive Reputation and Portfolio – Word of mouth, client testimonials, references, awards, and online reviews are dependable ways to reassure you of the contractor’s abilities.
Four questions to ask prior clients are:
- Did they complete the project on time and within budget?
- How were their project management and communication skills?
- Were they satisfied with the end product?
- Would they recommend the commercial contractor to friends and family?
Presents a Clear Contract – A mutually agreed upon contract should include a detailed scope of the work, associated costs, payment terms, schedule dates, applicable guarantees, and signatures from both parties. The general contractor should be clear in outlining communication expectations, change order clause, contingency plans, and cancellation clauses in the contract. Hire a lawyer to review the prepared agreement, even if it seems clear to you.
Commits to High Safety Standards – Make sure the commercial contractor you are hiring has an Emergency Modification Rate (EMR) of less than 1.0. EMR is a calculation used by insurance firms to price the cost of workers’ compensation premiums. The rating reflects a variety of lagging indicators, such as injury costs or claim history, and offers a prediction of future risk.
In addition, review their DART metric. Days away, restricted, or transferred (DART) is a measurement that was introduced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assess the safety of your construction firm based on the type and quantity of workers’ compensation-related injuries or illnesses within a given time period.
Offer Credentials and References – In addition, check ratings from your local chamber of commerce, Better Business Bureau, and other industry trade associations to examine a company’s credibility.
For more information on how LA Creed and commercial construction deliver for your community visit https://creedla.com