The success of your upcoming commercial construction project will rely on the skill of your construction contractor. To find the right contractor business, vet at least three Connecticut contractors with related experience. Meet with the contractors on-site to discuss your job. This vetting process will help you find a contractor with the right skills.
Before vetting begins, make a list of questions to ask each contractor. Preparing these questions in advance and keeping them consistent from one contractor to the next will make it easy to compare them once the meetings are over. In this article, we'll discuss ten questions to help lead the discussion during these meetings, so you can learn what you need to know to make the right hire for the job.
How long your project will take depends on the availability of materials, the complexity of the work, the size of your contractor's team, and the contractor's schedule.
Your contractor may be able to speed up the process if you need the work done quickly, but this will cost extra if it requires work outside normal business hours. If you're operating on a deadline, start the process as quickly as possible to avoid a situation where you must pay extra to expedite the work.
Even good contractors can get overwhelmed when they take on projects that they've never tried before. Hiring a contractor without sufficient experience can lead to a range of problems including delays throughout the project and mistakes in the work itself.
Find a contractor with experience working on commercial structures similar to yours. If you're remodeling a retail location, for example, look for a contractor that has performed a range of tasks on other retail locations.
Find a contractor with several good references. Ask for names and numbers of at least three businesses that have hired that contractor for projects similar to yours. Once you have the names and numbers, call the references to ensure they check out. Have a list of questions prepared, then ask each reference that same list of questions.
If you were referred to this contractor through your architect, this referral may be sufficient. It's worth mentioning that architects and contractors must work together closely during many commercial construction projects. If your architect has worked previously with a contractor and recommends that contractor for your project, this is a strong referral and may be a good incentive to use that contractor.
Good contractors are usually booked up months in advance. If you're vetting quality contractors with a good reputation, you can assume they will not be available to start work right away.
If a contractor is available starting immediately, this could be a red flag, especially if the contractor also lacks experience or can't provide references. This is another important reason to start your search for a contractor as soon as possible, especially if you're on a tight deadline.
Some businesses and organizations need their contractor to work around a special schedule. Schools, for example, often need the work to be done over the summer while students are not on campus. Retail locations may request the work be done when customers are not around, or at times when there are fewer customers on the premises. If this is important for your organization or business operations, talk to your contractor during this initial discussion.
The size of the contractor business makes a difference. Businesses that are very small operate by hiring subcontractors to do much of the work. Some businesses also lease employees or hire temp workers to get through projects. These teams largely made up of subcontractors may not operate as smoothly as larger businesses with in-house workers. Companies that use their own workers have more control over quality, timing, and other aspects of the job.
Good contractors need exceptional communication and project management skills to get through the job. Contractors with many years of experience have had more time to smooth the wrinkles in their processes and develop these skills.
Every job comes with its unique challenges. Ask each contractor you're vetting about the challenges they anticipate with your job. This will give you insight into your project and may give you ideas for new ways to accomplish your own project goals.
Agree to a payment schedule that works for both parties. It's normal for a contractor to ask for a percentage of the work in advance. This money is used to pay for materials and supplies for the project. Be cautious of contractors that ask for all the money in advance. A good contractor will typically require payment installments as the work is completed. This will be outlined in the contract.
The state of Connecticut requires contractors to be licensed by the state in order to perform commercial construction work. Your contractor should be able to provide a license number, which you can look up on the state's license lookup website.
It's not enough for a contractor to say they have a license - look it up to verify the license and ensure that the license is active. Licensed contractors are required to have a bond and insurance to protect the customer.
Finding the right contractor is a process that takes time. Get off to the right start by downloading the Litchfield Builders guide to finding a contractor in Connecticut, or contact us to schedule an in-person meeting to discuss your upcoming commercial project.