Every commercial contracting company approaches their construction projects differently. It is not uncommon for commercial contractors to complete some designing here and there, especially during remodels, but traditional builders cannot provide full design services. Likewise, traditional commercial designers may offer their construction input while helping a client with a project, but do not have the capabilities to complete construction on their own.
This traditional commercial construction process has long been the standard way of completing projects, but design-build construction is quickly becoming the most popular method for delivering final commercial construction projects to business owners across the United States.
What is a design and build contractor?
Commercial design-build contractors provide all the commercial contracting services a company needs, all in one place. Instead of managing two separate contracts for both a contractor and designer, the design-build process allows clients to manage just one contract with one single point of responsibility More often than not, the traditional commercial contracting process leads to headbutting between both parties, which causes litigation and delays that increase project costs and create stressful tension. To streamline the process and eliminate problems, design-build firms handle all aspects of a commercial project from the very beginning and provide unified project recommendations that better adhere to the needs of clients’ budgets and schedules. When issues arise, the entire design-build team works together to problem solve instead of blame-shifting and making excuses, keeping projects on track..
How do I choose the right commercial design-build contractor?
Since you are hiring both a designer and contractor at once, it is important to make sure you choose a company you can trust. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to know which company is right for you and your project. However, by asking the right questions and completing thorough research, you can narrow down your choices and find your perfect match:
What does your process look like?
Since no two firms follow the same system, you want to choose a design-build general contractor with a process that fits your desired timeline. In the commercial world, time is money. By asking this question, you will get a better idea of how the design and construction phases work together and what each company’s process, priorities, benchmarks and working styles look like
Who will be working on the project?
With design and construction being under one roof, more than one person will more than likely be involved in the project process. During your initial meetings with prospective companies, it is important to know who will handle most of the work and who you will be in close contact with throughout the project process. From there, you can investigate the qualifications of those involved in the project.
What will our communication look like?
The communication style of your commercial contractor needs to work with yours. Ask any potential firms how they plan to keep you informed during each phase of construction. At White Oak Commercial Group, we understand the importance of building positive working relationships that ensure the highest levels of customer service. Before we begin any project, we want to be transparent and open with potential clients so we can have a solid foundation of trust to build upon.
What are the deadlines to request changes?
Visions change over time. If you decide you want to make a major cosmetic change to your commercial structure down the road, it can cause problems for your contractor. Ask each firm about their deadlines for making changes and the cost of last-minute decisions. You want to work with a contractor who is flexible with unforeseen change and can best accommodate your needs without compromising the schedule or cost of your project.
Can you show me your sample work?
Some commercial contractors may be able to get you into a building they constructed for a tour, but if they cannot, ask for a portfolio of photos, drawings and plans from previous builds. You want to work with an experienced design-build contractor who has plenty of successful projects behind them. You can also check to see if any of the contractors on your list have a portfolio page available for viewing on their website.
Do you have any references?
Reputable commercial contractors will be more than happy to put you in touch with previous clients. Hearing about other honest firsthand experiences with potential companies will give you a better idea of how favorable they are and what others think of their work. By doing so, you can make a better, more informed decision. If a contractor is reluctant to reach out for references, take it as a red flag and remove them from your list.
Ready to hire a commercial design-build contractor?
Once you have asked your questions and narrowed down your choices to just one, it is finally time to hire a contractor for your commercial project. With years of experience handling commercial design-build projects for clients throughout Indianapolis and beyond, let White Oak Commercial Group be your go-to choice for commercial contracting services in Indiana. Our professional, innovative and experienced team members are competent in all facets of the construction industry and ready to put their skills and knowledge to work on your design-build project. At White Oak, we carry our clients from conception to completion and make it a priority to focus on customer relationships. Our future is built on your satisfaction, so let us show you what we are capable of!
