When business owners or managers are faced with heading up a construction project they may feel overwhelmed if it’s a new experience for them. You might be thinking: ‘where do I start?’ If you’re in the planning phase of your project you’ve come to the right place. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Where do I start?
Clients come to us at varying stages of the construction process. We recommend starting out by getting a budget price from a reputable contractor so you have a realistic idea of what your vision is going to cost, and whether it makes financial sense (or is even feasible) for you to move forward with your plans. Your initial budget can help you determine if you have the funds to complete additional work or if you need to scale back your project at all. Read more about why a budget is important here.
How can I run my business during a remodel?
It can be done! We work on job sites every day where our commercial construction clients continue to operate throughout construction. You’ll want to make sure that you have a phasing plan in place before construction starts. Your contractor should work with you to make sure that your business can still operate smoothly and that transition days are built into the construction schedule to allow for moving employees or customer areas to different locations as construction progresses. Phasing and construction schedules are a critical part of any construction project that is being completed while the business remains open.
How do I pick the right contractor?
It can be hard to navigate this process. Make sure your contractor of choice has experience completing projects that are similar in scope and size to yours. Check references. See what people say about them online on independent websites where they can’t control what reviews say (Google, Houzz, Facebook, etc). Keep in mind that you are going to be dealing with whoever you choose on a daily basis for the duration of your project which could be a few months up to a year or even more. Make sure you have a good ‘gut-feeling’ about the team you’re going to work with. You don’t need to become best friends with your contractor, but it is important to work with a team that makes you feel comfortable and confident about your project and who is willing to go above and beyond to make sure they deliver results that will exceed your expectations. For more on this topic see our blog: How to Navigate the General Contractor Selection Process
Still have questions? Have you called Souder Brothers yet? We’re here to help!
I think it’s time to remodel my shop. Perhaps I should call a commercial contractor that fits my budget. Thanks for telling me that I should check for references so that I’ll get the best shop in the block.
I thought it was great that you mentioned the importance of finding a contractor that has similar experience with the project you are wanting to have done. My husband is thinking of having his office remodeled to increase the ease and appeal of the environment. I will remind him to find a contractor who has worked with remodeling offices the size of his to ensure a job well done.
I agree that you should have a phasing plan before you start building so that you can continue work. That’ll save you a lot of grief in the future. I want to extend my office building but I don’t know how to do that and continue operations. It’ll be helpful if I do more research.
I love that you talked about how clients will come at random times during the processes. My husband and I are looking for a commercial contractor that can help him build his small business. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us best.
As you mentioned, it is smart starting with a bid from a construction company to see if your vision is even possible with the budget that you have. My brother just leased a building for his company, and in the lease agreement, it states that he is able to change any interior layout, as long as he pays for it. I will have to ask him if he has thought about a budget, and found out if it is even possible.
Excellent explanation. Anyone can easily comprehend since it’s simple & focused. Keep up the great work!
I think it’s great that you suggest we check independent websites to see the actual reviews of the contractors we are about to hire. I would imagine it to be important to look at unbiased reviews when someone wants to hire a contractor because it can likely affect how their whole project is going to go. If I were someone looking for a general contractor for my project, I will definitely look for someone who I think I can work well with for a long period of time and someone who has good reviews.