The construction business is one in which multiple businesses are vying for the same jobs, making it difficult to find the right commercial construction company. The best way of finding a reliable and trustworthy company is asking questions about their previous work and projects they have handled before.
Listed below are five questions that should be asked when you’re considering whether or not to hire a construction company.
What type of background do you have?
Companies that have an established legacy are able to provide accurate quotes because they know exactly how much a job will cost. They likely aren’t cutting corners or underbidding, but rather bidding the market rate for such projects. On the other hand, companies with impossibly low bids might be lacking experience and thus forced to undercut competitors in order to win jobs. Some also focus on specific types of buildings like office structures or storefronts, so keep this in mind when looking at their bid estimates too.
What are some of your past projects?
A company with any background in construction on the commercial side would be more than happy to provide examples of their previous efforts because they know that such work represents them in the best possible light. Asking about references within a question is not wrong, either; this will allow you to see if past customers were satisfied and whether or not they have had repeat business from said company.
What kind of timeline do you have for this particular project?
If a company is falling behind with deadlines, it might be cutting corners to meet them. For any business that promises quick completion of construction projects, they should have enough flexibility built into their schedule so as not to fall short on meeting the deadline. With respect to those deadlines, if there are problems in completing tasks quickly then companies will just avoid working with such businesses and move ahead without getting frustrated.
What is your safety record?
Keeping good records on safety concerns and resolving any problems quickly shows that a company is well-equipped to deal with different obstacles. When companies try to cover up their poor track record, it becomes an important red flag for potential clients. Working with a business whose main concern is not keeping its workers safe will inevitably lead down the wrong path in other areas as well so be wary of such businesses.
Are Your Cost Projections Estimates or Fixed?
An experienced construction company can provide accurate estimates for a project because they have good relationships with suppliers who won’t increase the price at the last minute. That makes it so there aren’t any hidden costs, which saves time and aggravation on both ends of the contract since customers don’t need to haggle about unexpected expenses later. A list of fixed costs should be included in their invoice as well.
If you’d like to learn more about the commercial building process or speak with someone about your commercial project, feel free to message me or give us a call: (407) 559-6412.
