Once you have gotten a few references, you can begin exploring each option in detail and look into the track record of each potential candidate. Ask to see any construction work they have done in the past, or ask for the contact information of clients they have done work for recently. If the contractor you are considering has a good track record in the business, he will have no shortage of past customers who will be willing to give favorable testimonials. If the contractor you are considering cannot provide a list of satisfied clients, this probably means one of two things: inexperience in the construction field or a less than stellar track record in the industry. In either case, you would probably be better off looking for another general contractor company.
Qualifications
Your search for a commercial general contractor should not end with samples of his previous work. In order to reduce the risk of any potential problems, you should also look into his credentials and qualifications. Your first step in this regard is to check with your city's building code inspector, local business bureau, or builder's licensing board. This will allow you to find out if any complaints have been lodged against the contractor you are considering.
You should also ask any potential contractor about their license, as well as insurance and bonding compliance. Make sure that the contractor you are consulting with has the appropriate licenses as required by your city's building codes. Now would also be the ideal time to ask your contractor what kind of liability insurance he carries, and the extent of its coverage. If your contractor is on the level, he should have no problem showing his credentials to any potential clients. This is an important part of the qualification process for any general building contractor-and indeed for almost any type of professional-so you should not neglect this crucial step. By making sure everything is in order, you will greatly reduce the risk of any liability on your part if things go wrong with the construction project, or if the workers end up unpaid.
Professional work attitude
Finally, you will want to make sure that the contractor you hire is easy to work with. Qualifications, credentials, and a good track record of successfully completed jobs are important of course, but it is in the day-to-day construction job that you will really see the worth of your building contractor. You don't necessarily want a contractor who will paint a rosy picture of the project or present you with overly optimist project forecasts. Instead, you will want someone you can trust who will let you know about any potential problems before they come up, and will ideally have solutions to these problems. Remember that the success of the entire construction project hinges a great deal on the skills and capabilities of your chosen contractor, so you will want to hire one who will work closely with you towards the realization of the project's goals.
You should also be on the lookout against contractors who seem vague, uncommunicative, or unaccommodating in any way. If you find yourself having difficulty communicating with your contractor at the outset, think about how much more difficult it will be once the work-and all the pressures associated with it-has begun in earnest. Remember that you may end up having to work with your contractor for several months, so it would be best to hire someone you can trust and get along with.
General Contractor is a commercial construction company in Colorado Springs with 25 years experience in commercial design and building.
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