Your business needs a functional, well-maintained space where it can operate. Successful renovations help ensure that your commercial space suits your business needs. Finding the right Connecticut contractor to perform those renovations can make all the difference.
Meeting onsite, checking references, reviewing qualifications, checking the license - these are all parts of hiring a commercial contractor. If you've never been through this process before, going step-by-step can help make your contractor search a success.
In the article below, we'll discuss the process of vetting contractors for your upcoming commercial renovation in Connecticut. We'll also talk about key considerations, so you'll know what to prioritize as you search for a Connecticut contractor.
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Before your business can get started hiring a contractor, some planning and prepping is required.
Goal setting and budgeting. Work with your managers, planning committee, board, or leadership team to determine which changes need to be made and how much money you can afford to spend.
Design phase. In Connecticut, most commercial renovations require an architect. Work with your architect to create a design that meets your goals. Once the design is finished, it's time to start looking for a contractor. Contractors will use your design to create bids for your project.
Many businesses find contractors through referrals. Your architect may refer you to a contractor they've worked with in the past. You can also get referrals from other businesses in your area that have done similar work on their buildings.
When you're getting referrals, ask them about their experiences working with that contractor. Was the contractor responsive to questions? Was the contractor a clear communicator? Were they skilled in their trade? Was the project finished on time? Was the contract clear? Was the work finished for the expected price? If not, why not?
Contractors are required to have a license with the state of Connecticut. Check each potential contractor's license through the state's license search feature. Don't take the license for granted, even if the contractor was referred to you by a source you trust. Check to ensure that the contractor has an active license, and don't consider any contractor that doesn't.
Most contractors have a portfolio you can check through their website. Review each potential contractor's portfolio, looking for pictures that are similar to the type of work that you'd like to have done on your building.
If you can't find pictures of similar work online, you can also ask the contractor to send you pictures that you can review. If the contractor doesn't have a portfolio, or if they have no pictures of work that is similar to yours, that may not be the best contractor for your project.
Once you've got a list of potential licensed contractors, it's time to arrange for an onsite meeting. Invite stakeholders that you would like to be involved in the project, whether that's an assistant or another manager.
If you have an owner's representative, you may choose to meet with the contractor together, or your representative may meet with contractors alone. It's important to ensure that everyone involved is kept up to date with the project, so including others in the process can be helpful.
Be sure anyone who comes to the meeting is already aware of your project goals, design, and budget, to ensure that the meeting is efficient and focused.
When you're arranging for meetings with contractors, consider how they communicate. Are they timely and responsive? Do they communicate well over email, in person, and over the phone? Do they listen when you speak?
A contractor that can't communicate clearly may struggle to manage a large team and keep the project moving smoothly. Good communication is essential to ensuring a smooth construction project, so it's important to hire a contractor with this particular skill.
Even if your contractor was referred to you by an architect or another business owner, it's best to check references before signing a contract. Ideally, these will be references that have had similar work done on their buildings. When you're checking references, have a list of questions to ask. Using a list of questions helps ensure the conversations will be productive for you and efficient for them.
After meeting onsite to discuss the job, contractors will submit bids for your project. It's tempting to look at the bottom line when you're hiring a contractor for a commercial construction project, but money isn't the only consideration. Look at the material quality, timeline, and scope of work. If one contractor bids far lower than the others, ask yourself: why?
It's better to pay a fair price for high-quality work than it is to pay a lower price for substandard work. Contractors that underbid may do so for many reasons. Some contractors cut corners that can lead to costly mistakes, while others may not know the true cost of the work. Some may even use unscrupulous business practices to win bids. When you choose a contractor that bids low, you run the risk of hiring a contractor that will leave you disappointed, and it could even cost you more money in the long run.
Always read the contract thoroughly before signing, and ask any questions that you may have before putting your name on the dotted line.
Litchfield Builders offers a free guide to help make the hiring process easier. If you have questions about the hiring process, contact us. As a contractor in business for almost 30 years, we know a lot about commercial contracting in Connecticut, and we can help you too.