Commercial real estate investors and commercial property owners with building projects or renovations need a trustworthy commercial design-build contractor to successfully complete their projects. But how do you find the right fit when it comes to choosing a contractor? Word of mouth is always a plus, but there are also concrete facts you can uncover to help obtain the right match, creating a win-win situation.
What to Look for in a Tulsa Construction Contractor
A seasoned design-build contractor can plan and build your commercial property or renovation, exceed your expectations, build within budget, and complete the work in a timely fashion. Here are some things to ask about the contractor you choose to hire.
Inquire about the basics
When interviewing a potential contractor, don’t get in a rush. Take time to ask about the foundational things such as:
- Are you licensed?
- Are you insured with property damage and personal liability coverage?
- What is your expertise and specialty?
- Who are the subcontractors you hire on a regular basis? Tell me about their craftsmanship, site cleanliness, and trustworthiness.
Ask for references
Ask the contractor for several references of recent clients they completed projects for that were similar to yours. Talk with the references about details such as:
- How easy or not so easy was this contractor to work with?
- Was the project completed on time?
- Did the contractor stay within budget?
- What level of workmanship was seen throughout the project?
- Were you happy with the material choices for the project?
- How do you rate your overall satisfaction with the contractor now that your commercial building project is complete?
Check on the facts about their business
Fill in any missing gaps of information you may have from your research by asking the contractor about their business. Consider questions such as:
- How many building projects like mine have you completed in the last 12 months?
- How many years have you been in business?
- How often do your customers come back to you as repeat customers?
- How often do the referrals you get come from previous customers?
- What is your typical process to handle any complaints about your work crews, materials, or project outcomes?
- When will my project fit into your schedule? What timeline do you see for the completion of my commercial construction project?
Discover what type of communicators they are
When you find the right contractor, the communication is just beginning. There are many interactions just ahead, and throughout the commercial construction process. It’s vital you find a contractor you can easily access, and who is a good communicator themselves.
Take the time to meet your potential contractor face to face, look him in the eye and check your gut sense about hiring him. Ask what the best means of communication is for your interactions in the future, then test it out to see how long it takes to get a response. If he tells you to email him with your questions, and you do—only to find you don’t get a response in a timely fashion—keep looking!
Be intentional about hiring a contractor
When you make the decision to upgrade your commercial investment property with an addition, or build a new commercial investment property, be intentional about choosing the right commercial design-build contractor. You’ve decided to invest your valuable time and money into building, so don’t rush the process of obtaining the best contractor for your needs.
The primary ingredient to a successful building project is the right contractor. So, take time to find that seasoned professional who brings what you need to the table, and you’ll be glad you did in the long run. It’s not just about the building process, it’s about how the building functions for your purposes after the building process. You’ve got the vision necessary; now just find the right person to help you complete it.
Benefits to the design-build process
The design-build process brings design and construction professionals together as a team. It saves you time and money, decreases miscommunication, and prevents unnecessary conflict during the building process. Additionally, the design build process does the following:
Creates a unified team
This amazing ingredient to the design-build delivery method prevents problems because everyone works on the same goal together.
Has only one primary responsible party
The design builder is responsible for the whole commercial construction project. Building aesthetics, construction costs, and the project timeline are all the responsibility of one person—the design builder.
Decreases the possibility of surprise costs
The design builder typically discusses the budget early on. He takes all costs, utilities, landscaping, and miscellaneous costs into account and presents you with one price for the full project.
Continuity and consistency
The continuity created by the fact that members of the same team of professionals who design the project also build it brings a strong sense of responsibility to each of the team members.
Saves money
The design-build process saves money, and commits to work within the established budget. In contrast, the design-bid-build delivery method may end up with a building that costs significantly more than it was projected to cost, putting owners in a financial predicament.
Saves time
The design-build process is super-efficient, well-coordinated, cost-effective, and saves time in the long run. Owners are given ample time to make major decisions, bring out any questions they may have, and look at their options before making important decisions. The design-build process saves time due to the efficiency of communication between professionals, as well as fluid and frequent communication with the owner or property manager.
Throughout the design-build process the architect and builder coordinate, minimizing mistakes and subsequent costly change orders. See our commercial construction services and call Construction by Daniels. We’ll answer all your questions and create the optimal plan to reach your commercial construction goals.
