MENU MENU
Commercial building projects are far different from residential ones, which means the contractor you ordinarily use may not suffice. How can you find a commercial construction company who is trustworthy, affordable, and capable? Here are a few ways.
The best way to find out information about a commercial construction company is to visit their website. Pay attention to the layout and design of the website to ensure it is easy to navigate. If pages appear clunky or unorganized, this could indicate that the builder lacks planning skills. Read through the company’s history, and look for photographs of past projects to get a better idea of the type of work that contractor performs. Be wary of websites that appear generic and fail to provide you with much detailed information.
Looking at a website will only give you a glimpse into a contractor’s operations. To learn more, you’ll need to dig deeper by talking with previous customers to find out what their experiences are. If you don’t know any, ask the owner to provide you with the names and contact numbers of some references. Proceed with caution if the owner appears evasive-there could be a very good reason why he doesn’t want you talking with former customers. Most construction companies are proud to provide references, and will gladly provide you with them upon request.
It can be easy to uncover dirt on commercial construction companies by checking a few convenient sources. The first and most obvious one is the Better Business Bureau; however, there are actually quite a few others. For example, you may also check with your local building and zoning board to see if have been any recent violations. You can even visit the courthouse to see if the company has ever filed bankruptcy or had any actions taken against them in small claims court. While legal issues do not necessarily mean a company is untrustworthy, it can nonetheless be a red flag if you discover that certain actions seem to occur on a regular basis.
Even in today’s digital age, the very best way to find out information is by talking with a commercial construction company directly. There’s no better way to determine how easy a particular company might be to deal with as your project unfurls. A face-to-face meeting provides the best opportunity for you to get to know your contractor and obtain a feel for how honest he really might be. Phone conversations are limiting because they do not allow you to read an individual’s body language, which is something that can provide you with unique insight into a person’s character.
Finding a reputable contractor to perform commercial construction is hard work, as there are plenty of things to take into consideration. The success of your project depends on it, so you should not become discouraged. Performing due diligence, in the beginning, can save you a great deal of anxiety later, so it is well worth the effort.