Commercial construction companies lay the foundation for the future of your company. For this reason, selecting a contractor to work with requires careful consideration. Choosing the right commercial contractor will help you feel more comfortable throughout the entire process and will ensure a successful project completed on time and within budget.

WHAT IS A COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR?

Before you can start looking at potential contractors for construction services, you must understand exactly what they do. A commercial contractor is a general contractor that specializes in commercial construction and facilitates construction projects. A commercial contractor works on builds and redesigns for various types of commercial buildings such as corporate offices, schools, restaurants, retail buildings, government buildings, and more.

STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION A CONTRACTOR OVERSEES

Every project is different and based on the specific commercial construction project and scope of work, there will be different stages of construction. Many projects include the following stages:

• Design
• Permitting
• Supply Purchases
• Building Code Compliance
• Zoning Regulations

CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR—WHAT TO CONSIDER

As a business owner, choosing a contractor for your building’s project will be one of the most important decisions you make. You want to make sure you choose someone who will deliver quality work and keep you informed through every stage. When choosing a contractor, you should consider the type of project and the communication style you would like the contractor to have. It’s also smart to look at the contractor’s past work and check for any references.

TYPE OF PROJECT

What type of project are you hoping to get done? This is the first thing you need to establish before you begin choosing a contractor. All contractors specialize in different things. You want to make sure your contractor is the best choice for the specific type of work you are hoping to get done.

Contractors may offer various services and specialize in specific areas, including:

• Workspace Redesigns
• Collaborative Workspaces
• Efficiency Improvements
• Industries—A contractor may specialize in working with specific industries, such as:
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Corporate Offices
• Type of Space—A contractor may also specialize in working within different types of spaces in buildings, such as:
  • Breakrooms
    • Kitchens
    • Common Areas
  • Bathrooms
  • Workspaces
    • Collaborative Designs
    • Open-Concept Designs
    • Workstation Furniture
  • Outdoor Areas
    • Canopies
    • Concrete
    • Complete Building Design
    • Outdoor Eating Areas

COMMUNICATION STYLE

Excellent communication between your company and the contractor you choose is an essential part of ensuring a successful project. You’ll want to find a contractor that works well with you and your style of communication. Do you want a contractor who keeps you informed constantly throughout the entire project? Or do you want a detailed plan presented at the beginning with minimal communication throughout? These are all things to consider when choosing a contractor.

CHECK FOR REFERENCES

Last but not least, when you’ve found a contractor you think might be a good fit, it’s a good idea to look at their past work and what their clients have to say about working with them. Look for any references you can find so you know what you’re getting into.

WHEN LOOKING FOR A COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR, CONSIDER SKILLED SERVICES

When looking at commercial contractors, it isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison. Each contractor is different, which is why you must carefully evaluate them to decide which one is best for you. Are you looking for an experienced, qualified contractor to complete your next big project? Skilled Services is a commercial contractor based in Knoxville, Tennessee, specializing in turnkey solutions for complex projects. As a licensed contractor in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, we have completed projects for thousands of organizations large and small. We use our effective, proven approach to ensure each project, no matter how unique, is completed successfully, on time, and within budget.

To get started with your commercial construction project, contact Skilled Services today.