Building a commercial space can be a daunting process for most business owners. It can feel even more intimidating if you haven’t gone through the process before. However, if you know what to ask of your commercial general contractor before hiring them, you can be more at peace with the entire process.
Even if it isn’t your first time looking for a general contractor and you’ve hired multiple contractors before with varying success, you still need to know about the important questions you should ask your potential contractors. These questions can help pave the way to greater success in your project.
Here at BelVan Construction, we have compiled a list of essential questions we feel you need answered before hiring your general contractor. Read on to get started. Once you have gone through the questions, visit our website to learn more about how we can help you.
How Long Have You Been In Business?
It is important to work with a contractor who has enough experience to handle your commercial project efficiently. You would not want to get stuck with an inexperienced contractor who could leave you with higher project costs than expected, poor construction, missed deadlines, undelivered projects, and more.
Therefore, be forward with your potential contractor and ask them about their credentials (license and insurance), how long they have been in business, what past projects they have worked on, and the success rate of those projects. Asking these questions will help you get a better insight into your contractor’s experience in the industry and will help you choose the best company for the job.
Have You Worked On Projects Similar To Ours?
This is an important question to ask your potential contractor as you would not want to hire someone who doesn’t know how to handle your specific project. Different commercial contractors will have varying specialties, and it is important to find the one who has dealt with projects similar to yours. For example, if a contractor only specializes in remodeling restaurants, he may not be a good fit to build your new office building.
We at BelVan Construction hold considerable diversity across various commercial project types, including; Restaurants, Retail, Office Buildings, Recreational Spaces, and more.
How Reliable Are Your Subcontractors?
Often general contractors contract out their work to subcontractors. They may do this for several reasons, such as they don’t operate in your area, your project requires specialized knowledge, or you need to finish your project before a certain deadline. In such cases, hiring subcontractors proves to be beneficial for both the client and the contractor.
However, general contractors are only as strong as their weakest subcontractors. If your contractor doesn’t have reliable subs or cannot make them perform their work efficiently to deliver a high-quality project on time, then you should definitely explore other options. Moreover, ensure that the contractor has project managers oversee the work that the subcontractors are doing to ensure everything is being done correctly.
How Much Will The Project Cost & What Is Your Payment Schedule?
The cost of the project will vary depending on numerous factors. Therefore, you’ll have to speak with your contractor to determine the budget of your specific construction plans. Moreover, it is important that you know how the contractor is going to bill for your project. It is crucial to never pay upfront for the entire project as it can lead to many problems later on. Instead, start with a down-payment, then move on to progress payments, and lastly the final payment.
How Long Will This Project Take?
It is important that you and your contractor are on the same page regarding the project’s timeline and delivery date. Therefore, ensure that the contractor commits to a delivery date and clearly communicates with you about whether he can or can not deliver the work on time.
BelVan Construction is Edmonton’s leading commercial general contractor. To learn more about our services, contact us here today.
