Things to Expect from a Commercial Contractor

A good contractor can work any project with reasonable success. But when you’re launching a project involving commercial construction in Los Angeles, CA, the stakes are high. Money is riding on successful completion of the job on the promised timeline. Therefore, when you are planning a commercial build, it’s a good idea to select a contractor who knows the business and specializes in building projects for the commercial sector.

To be a successful commercial contractor in Los Angeles, CA, the contractor must possess a diverse set of skills that can help launch a project, keep it on schedule, and complete the build while maintaining high standards of quality. You need an experienced leader who will hold sub-contractors to high quality standards while overseeing work flow and project management functions. Therefore, there are a few traits you should look for when searching for the best commercial contractor in Los Angeles, CA. Keep reading to learn what characteristics a good commercial contractor should possess.

Communication Is Key

A contractor is not just a manager or a task master. On a commercial build, your contractor is the conduit for communications between you, the customer, suppliers of materials, sub-contractors, and local building authorities. Therefore, since the contractor serves as the chief communicator for your commercial construction project, he or she should be well-spoken and able to communicate with a diverse group of audiences. A commercial contractor must be able to understand local building code and translate those standards as expectations for subs.

The contractor must also be able to negotiate well with suppliers to make sure the proper materials are attained at a reasonable price point. Your contractor must also be able to advocate for your project with building inspectors and provide explanations for design and construction choices. Finally, your contractor works for you, and must be able to absorb your vision and bring it to reality through your construction.

Excellent Project Manager

Project management is a lost art, and a failure to master it can result in a bungled commercial construction project that runs over budget and results in delays. A contractor must be a true multi-tasker, as there are numerous aspects of your build in play at any given time, such as supply acquisition, architectural amendments, negotiations with sub-contractors, management of the permitting process, and overseeing the build schedule. A good contractor should have a method for managing diverse functions and personnel. Otherwise, your project could be late, over budget, and of shoddy quality.

Understand Regulations

Most commercial investors have only a passing knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations regarding accessibility and building codes. Many know just enough to know they know nothing at all. Therefore, the contractor must be a key component in the permitting and accessibility process. Contractors should know what a building needs to be ADA-compliant, for example.

A good contractor must not only know local building regulations and codes but must also be able to negotiate the legal pathway to permitting. Without those skills, a client may have to navigate the permitting process alone, which can lead to set-backs and cost overruns.

On-Site Leadership

Much like a coach in sports, the contractor’s role is to pull together a diverse team of critical players who will cooperate in pursuit of a common goal. In the case of commercial construction, that goal is successful and on-time completion of a build. To do that, a contractor must be more than a manager or subject matter expert. The contractor must know how to read people and motivate them to put forth the effort necessary to execute the project plan. Therefore, a contractor should have leadership skills that set him or her above the role of a mere supervisor. The contractor should inspire, motivate, and maintain accountability for all the players on the project team.

If you’re planning to hire a provider of commercial contractor services in Los Angeles, CA, be sure to find a contractor who embodies these skills and characteristics. A good commercial contractor can make all the difference between a project that is completed efficiently and on-time and a build that runs over budget and tracks off schedule. To learn more about what separates great commercial contractors from the crowd, contact JH Bryant, Jr. Inc.