When you’re starting a business, your location is everything. You need an area that delivers what you need to grow and expand. Whether it’s a zone that accommodates warehouses and the excess traffic, noise, and activity that comes with it, or you need a location with a high footfall for a new retail or food outlet, choosing the relevant location is vital.

But what if the building you need isn’t available in the prime location? If the building you need doesn’t exist, then you need to consider the benefits of building a purpose-built premises that deliver everything you need for now and for future growth.

However, finding an applicable contractor for your new building isn’t always easy or straightforward, and there can be a lot of challenges in your process before you eventually pinpoint who is corresponding for you and who can realize your vision.

Here’s what you should know about choosing a congruent contractor for your commercial building.

Relevant Experience

Not all contractors have the same experience or will be qualified to build a specific type of property. Some deal exclusively with smaller buildings or residential properties, while others have the skills you need for large-scale commercial work. You need to check their experience and past work in your sector, specifically for building and designing facilities or structures, so they have the experience and scope to complete the project to the required specifications.

Licensing and Insurance

In the US, contractors hold licenses to work on commercial projects, and a commercial contractor should be able to code the relevant licenses and issue them for the project you need them to undertake. Don’t just take their word for it, ask for proof and verify this against the relevant bodies prior to proceeding.

References and Reviews

When creating your shortlist you need to look for all relevant reviews and references available to you. Each contractor in the running should be happy to provide details of previous clients for you to contact for references. Additionally, you should use word of mouth, which is the information you get from people who have used the contractor’s services, to get a feel of the type of company they are and what you can expect. This will help you assess if they’re the right fit for your project or not.

Communication and Transparency

This is a really important point to focus on because not only do you need to focus on the quality of the work, but also on how open they are with you and how they communicate. The backbone of any successful project is how well all parties communicate, and you need to be able to work together and understand each other, especially during delays or when mistakes are made. While you can’t always find this out ahead of time, you can pay closer attention to how they communicate with you during the selection process and how they answer your questions and negotiate with you.

Get Multiple Bids

Lastly, do not just get one bid and go with the cheapest option. You need to get multiple bids so you can compare each one. Look at the pricing, timelines, materials, etc., weigh each option up, and look at what you’re getting for your investment. Don’t just go for the lowest price or assume the more expensive option is the best. Be cautious of those who massively undercut competition or give you a shorter deadline than others, as this can indicate lower quality work or things being rushed and overlooked, which could lead to additional costs and delays in the long run.