As a commercial business owner, you will likely at some point need a contractor to help you get your business up and running. It could be anything from erecting a building from scratch or carrying out renovations to your current business, store front or even your office.
You will want a contractor who has a tract record and a good reputation, so take your time and investigate your potential candidates thoroughly. Also, remember that even though you want to save money, the lowest bid a contractor tenders may not necessarily be the best bid.
The majority of contractors you might want to consider is a general contractor if you are planning something as simple as a renovation job or business improvement. A general contractor usually has experience in both the residential and commercial markets.
Make sure your contractor has a web site. This not only shows they have been in business awhile but they may also show examples of their work along with customer reference which you can use as a base to perform some research to see how they performed and to ask questions. You should also check them out with provincial government to ensure they are properly licensed.
Hiring a commercial contractor in Calgary is just like any other business contractual arrangement.
Selecting a Calgary Contractor
The commercial contractor you want to hire should have all the right select is a company that has right skill set to perform the job you want done. They should also be properly bonded, insured and are registered with Workers Compensation. Any sub trades or sub contractors should also be properly licensed and certified in the trade or services they are going to provide.
Contact the local professional contractor associations as most reputable contractors will be a member in good standing with these associations. You can start your search my calling several of these contractors over the phone and ask questions.
Contractor Questions you Should Ask
Some of the most important questions you should ask your Calgary contractor include:
• Ask them how long they have been operating as a contracting business?
• Tell them about your project and ask if they have done projects similar to the one you want completed.
• Ask them about the work schedule and the start and the completion date.
• Ask if they will be taking care of all the necessary permits?
• One thing to ask is to find out if they have a warranty for their work and what this warranty entails.
• Always ask a contractor for any references, and follow through by contacting these individuals.
A professional commercial contractor should always be willing to oblige you with any and all information about the cost for labour, building materials and discuss your proposed budget with you. Any contractor which is not overly communicative and appears to be vague or elusive is a red flag and caution should be considered. Communication skills and ongoing communication is vital to getting a job successfully completed.
Always Get at Least 3 Estimates or Proposals
One rule of thumb which is used by most people hiring a contractor is to obtain a minimum of 3 estimates for any form of project. Equally important is that you have a very clear idea of what it is that you want done because changes can easily inflate the cost of the project and ruin your budget. Be clear on exactly what you want before you hire a contractor.
If your commercial contractor presents you with a completion certificate, it is important to remember that you don’t sign it until you have totally viewed all of the work and are satisfied with the result.
Photo by grayconstruction
