Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Commercial Contractor

If you’re launching a commercial construction endeavor, it goes without saying that you’ll need to hire an ethical, professional commercial contractor in Los Angeles to carry out the job. Commercial building projects are high-stakes affairs, which makes hiring the perfect contractor for your job enormously important. There are many factors that go into a smooth, expertly executed commercial build, and if any of those factors fall by the wayside due to inexperience or inattention on the part of your contractor, disaster can ensue. Those disasters can come in the form of cost overruns, improper permitting, and construction delays that will cost you money. That’s why it’s critical that you find the best commercial contractor in Los Angeles, CA, for your next commercial construction project.

Finding the right commercial contractor for your project can be more difficult than you may think, especially if you don’t have in-depth knowledge of the construction industry. However, you can conduct a diligent search for the right contractor by looking for a few key characteristics that will indicate professionalism, quality, and solid business ethics. By using the following tips, you can separate the quality contractors from the field and hire the right person for your construction needs. Keep reading to learn a few mistakes that you should avoid when conducting a search for a commercial contractor.

Mistake 1: Failing to Verify References

References serve an important purpose in your search for a contractor. First, if a contractor willingly provides you with references, that’s a good sign that the contractor is proud of past work and is willing to showcase it for you. That isn’t enough, however. It’s incumbent upon you as the client to follow up on those references once you have them to verify their authenticity and glean other important information from a contractor’s past customers. It’s unfortunate that not everyone in the construction industry can be taken at face value, so make sure that you contact the references to ensure they are legitimate. When you do get to talk to a former customer of the contractor, ask a few specific questions about punctuality, work ethic, quality of work, and professionalism. Ask if there were any issues with the build and how they were resolved by the contractor. Ask if the project came in at or under budget, and if the timeline was respected.

Mistake 2: Failing to Get Details

When planning a construction project, it’s critical not to gloss over details when speaking with a contractor about your project. Never take a vague bid or quote for granted, even if the price quoted seems like a great deal. Make sure when seeking bids, you ask for specifics on materials, size of crew, what subcontractors may be used, construction timeline, and other project-critical information. A failure to delve into details can leave you disappointed with your project with little recourse since the details were never spelled out in a formal quote. Also, make sure when you’re reviewing candidates that you’re satisfied with the clarity and level of detail offered regarding builder qualifications, experience, licensure, and practices. You don’t want to find out halfway through your project that the contractor you hired misstated experience or knowledge.

Mistake 3: Failure to Verify Credentials

While you should always verify the credentials of service professionals, in no other industry is it more important that the construction industry. The stakes are too high to risk hiring a contractor who is unlicensed and uncredentialled, so don’t take the word of the contractor when you ask about qualifications. You can check with your local builders’ association or contractors’ professional association, and you can check to make sure the contractor is in good standing with your local chamber of commerce and Better Business Bureau. You can also check to see if the contractor has been involved with prior litigation over construction projects. Finally, make sure the contractor you’re considering is licensed in your area for commercial construction projects.

When hiring a commercial contractor in Los Angeles, CA, it pays to be diligent in your research. The results of a sloppy search and hiring process can cost you money and result in a botched commercial build. If you need to hire the best commercial contractor for your project in the Los Angeles area, c contact JH Bryant, Jr. Inc.