Commercial projects have many rules and regulations to adhere to. Having an experienced builder to deal with issues that may arise is crucial to the success of your project.
Reputable builders will have a list of past clients who can provide honest feedback about their experience working with them. It would help if you also looked for online reviews and testimonials about the builders you’re considering.
Experience
A reputable commercial builder will have a history of building commercial properties, like Your Home Wichita, and experience working with local government agencies. Their experience will help them navigate the process more efficiently and effectively. They will also be able to provide you with a comprehensive quote that includes all of the necessary costs for your project.
The first step in selecting a commercial contractor is to ask for referrals from other business owners who have worked with them. This can be a great way to get a feel for their work and quality of service.
When looking for a contractor, asking for references and visiting their previous projects is essential. Ask about the size and type of project, budget, timeline, and challenges or roadblocks encountered. Also, ask the contractor about their safety record on job sites. This is a crucial part of any construction project and should be noticed. Lastly, base your decision on something other than cost. This can often backfire and result in unexpected expenses down the road.
Licenses
A reputable commercial builder will have the appropriate licenses and permits for construction projects. This will ensure they follow state, county, and city regulations for environmental protection, worker safety, zoning, and housing codes. It will also give you confidence that they can handle the project and won’t have to halt it mid-way due to financial problems.
In addition to a general contractor license, a commercial builder should be licensed in any specialized trades required for the project. Whether they have in-house electricians, crane operators, plumbers, or subcontractors, you want to ensure their licenses are valid and current.
Check their licensing status on a government website. You can also verify they have workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Regardless of the type of project you are undertaking, this is essential for protecting your investment and keeping everyone safe.
Insurance
A commercial construction project usually requires a general contractor to cover substantial insurance and liability. You’ll want to ensure the builder you hire has a policy that meets at least state and contractual minimums for general liability and workers’ compensation and carries additional coverage like builders’ risk and excess liability/umbrella policies.
A quality policy will also be flexible enough to meet the unique needs of your project. For example, it should provide comprehensive protection by calculating the premium based on total project value. This helps you budget accurately and control expenses while still providing ample coverage.
You’ll also want to ensure your builder has a policy that provides professional liability insurance for errors and omissions, which covers legal costs for damages caused by negligence or wrong advice. This is an important safeguard to protect your investment and project from potentially devastating risks. You’ll also want to ensure your builder is licensed in specialized trades, such as crane operators and electricians.
Reputation
The reputation of a commercial builder is an essential factor to consider. It is an indication of their professional approach, systems, and processes. It also indicates how they work with clients and deal with challenges and roadblocks common in the construction industry. This can be determined by a simple Internet search or visiting past projects. A reputable commercial builder will have an extensive online portfolio that showcases their experience and skills.
Reach out to their previous clients and ask how easy it was to work with the contractor, how detail-oriented they were in their proposals, how they stayed on schedule and budget, and how they handled any roadblocks or challenges. This will help you to choose the right builder for your project. Choose a company that values collaboration and respects the expertise of your architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to deliver a project you can be proud of.