Selecting the right general contractor for a commercial job can be a daunting process for the small business navigating it for the first time. Further complicating matters is that how to choose a commercial contractor very much depends on the size and scope of the project. Hiring a contractor to reroof your local business will often be quite similar to choosing a roofer for your own home, but hiring a company to construct a new commercial building is going to be much more complex.
Steps to Take:
• Request for Proposal
A request for proposal, or RFP, is one of the integral steps in most medium- to large-scale commercial projects. You may publish your RFP for any company to apply or may send it out to select firms for consideration. An effective RFP provides a construction company with all the information it needs to determine if it’s suitable for the project and to provide you with all the information you need to decide if you want to hire this particular contractor. There is a lot of room for error in the RFP phase, and that margin grows with the project scope. Therefore, it’s often advisable to hire a company that specializes in preconstruction services in order to help you plan, create your RFP, and so forth.
• Diligence During the Vetting Phase
Successful construction companies that have high bid-hit ratios are able to identify when a project is a good fit for them. But it’s important to recognize when learning how to choose a commercial contractor that not all contractors are as effective. In other words, never assume or presume. Take the time to verify licenses and insurance, and assess references and project portfolios to ensure that a contractor has successfully completed projects in line with your own. Again, depending on the size of the project, this may be a big task, and you may want to outsource to a company that specializes in such assessments.
• Carefully Assess a Contractor’s Safety Record
A safety incident can result in significant delays and may even involve damages that you’re liable for. It’s important to assess a contractor’s safety record for your protection but also because it reveals how that company treats its employees and how likely it is to live up to the budget and deadlines it’s agreed to.
Emmons is a Premier Commercial Contractor
If you own a business in New Jersey or Pennsylvania and require a general contractor for a commercial project, consider Emmons. We have provided a wide range of commercial services in this region for more than 30 years, including roofing, gutters, siding, windows, doors, painting, insulation, and much more. Call us at 1-856-885-6677 or contact us online to schedule an on-site consultation or with any additional questions about how to choose a commercial contractor.
