How to select the best commercial general contractor in Southern California?

How to select the best commercial general contractor in Southern California?

The best commercial general contractor in Southern California is not as difficult to find as one imagines. Even if it is your first time looking for some help with construction,  you have many great options to choose from.

Usually, it is ideal to hire a commercial general contractor if your project will last for longer than a week or two. A contractor is an asset when your job needs many different sub-contractors.

Adopt a systematic approach to find the best commercial general contractor for your project.

Here’s a guide to help you select a suitable commercial general contractor in Southern California.

Various commercial general contractors in Southern California.

There are a variety of commercial general contractors in Southern California. While some can take up various projects, some do sector-specific jobs.

The expertise of many mid-sized general contractors extends to 3-5 industry sectors. However, they offer you complete sector-specific project management services. Restaurant contractors are an excellent example of general contractors who do sector-specific jobs.

Many commercial general contractors do both design and build.

With so many choices, it is vital to be specific about the type of contractor you wish to hire.

Various commercial general contractors in Southern California.

There are a variety of commercial general contractors in Southern California. While some can take up various projects, some do sector-specific jobs.

The expertise of many mid-sized general contractors extends to 3-5 industry sectors.

However, they offer you complete sector-specific project management services.

Restaurant contractors are an excellent example of general contractors who do sector-specific jobs.

Many commercial general contractors do both design and build.

With so many choices, it is vital to be specific about the type of contractor you wish to hire.

How to list your needs?

What does your project need- complete design and build or simple tenant improvements?  Before you look for a commercial general contractor, list out what you need.

  • Create a scope of work for your project.
  • Think of a rough budget and
  • Determine the quality of work required.
  • What would be the time duration of the project?
  • Do you need design and build services or only construction services?

Creating a rough project proposal makes it easy for you to narrow down your search.

How to list
your needs?

What does your project need- complete design and build or simple tenant improvements? 

Before you look for a commercial general contractor, list out what you need.

  • Create a scope of work for your project.
  • Think of a rough budget.
  • Determine the quality of work required.
  • What would be the time duration of the project?
  • Do you need design and build services or only construction services?

Creating a rough project proposal makes it easy for you to narrow down your search.

select-the-best-commercial-general-contractor-in-Southern-California-for-your-project

Where to look for the best commercial general contractor in Southern California?

Apart from Google search, here are five ways in which you can look for the right contractor to do your job:

  1. References: Commercial general contracting services are local. Real estate agents, designers and architects interact with general contractors quite often. If you know any, you could ask them. Or, if you have an architect for your project, they could help you out.
  1. If you like any particular space, try asking them for their general contractor’s contact. If they’re willing to help you, also learn about their experience working with the contractor.
  1. Online directories. Some online directories can help you pick a commercial contractor in southern California. Some of them are –

        The Blue Book 

        Thomas Net for industry-related projects

  1. Trade Unions.- There are many trade unions through which you can gather information about commercial general contractors in Southern California. Associated Builders and Contractors and Associated General Contractors of America are two such organizations. These unions have their chapters throughout the USA. And some trade unions also allow you to scan through their member directory. You can make use of the directory or call the trade union to get the information you need.
  1. Tendering- You can also use the old-fashioned way, i.e. advertising through newspapers. Through advertising, commercial general contractors in southern California will respond to your inquiry.

Where to look for the best commercial general contractor in Southern California?

Apart from Google search, here are five ways in which you can look for the right contractor to do your job:

  1. References: Commercial general contracting services are local. Real estate agents, designers and architects interact with general contractors quite often. If you know any, you could ask them. Or, if you have an architect for your project, they could help you out.
  1. If you like any particular space, try asking them for their general contractor’s contact. If they’re willing to help you, also learn about their experience working with the contractor.
  1. Online directories. Some online directories can help you pick a commercial contractor in southern California. Some of them are –

        The Blue Book 

        Thomas Net for industry-related projects

  1. Trade Unions.- There are many trade unions through which you can gather information about commercial general contractors in Southern California. Associated Builders and Contractors and Associated General Contractors of America are two such organizations. These unions have their chapters throughout the USA. And some trade unions also allow you to scan through their member directory. You can make use of the directory or call the trade union to get the information you need.
  1. Tendering- You can also use the old-fashioned way, i.e. advertising through newspapers. Through advertising, commercial general contractors in southern California will respond to your inquiry.
choose-the-best-commercial-general-contractor-in-southern-california

How to pick the best commercial general contractor for your project?

Here’s a list of criteria you can use to shortlist the best contractor for your project:

  1. License and Qualifications: Find out about the commercial general contractor’s qualifications, licensing and insurance covers. To work as a commercial general contractor in Southern California, the contractor must have a valid California license. Ensure their paperwork is in order. Also check-up on their safety record.

        You can verify the prospective contractor’s license here

  1. Work Experience: See how many years of work experience they have as a commercial general contractor in Southern California. If the contractor has many years of experience, they usually have a good network of sub-contractors.

        What projects do they undertake?

      If the contractor has  a website, you can take a look at the projects they’ve done. You will get a better idea of the quality of work you can expect. You will also know about the size of projects the contractor is capable of managing.

Always ask for references.  

  1. Compare your scope of work with the services the contractor provides. Do they provide all the services you need? What technical abilities do they have? Whether they build for your specific industry sector.
  1. Communication Skills: Call some shortlisted contractors for an interview. Commercial general contracting is pure teamwork.  Excellent communication is as crucial for your project’s success as sound planning is. Most delays and problems occur due to lack of communication. So, observe how well your contractor communicates.

         Insist on a one-point contact. Because then you won’t have to spend your time coordinating with every sub-contractor on your site.

  1. Timely Delivery– Delays could cost. So, ask the contractor about how they plan to complete the project on time. See how attentive the contractor is to your needs. What approach do they adopt to solve your problems?

How to pick the best commercial general contractor for your project?

Here’s a list of criteria you can use to shortlist the best contractor for your project:

  1. License and Qualifications: Find out about the commercial general contractor’s qualifications, licensing and insurance covers. To work as a commercial general contractor in Southern California, the contractor must have a valid California license. Ensure their paperwork is in order. Also check-up on their safety record.

        You can verify the prospective contractor’s license here

  1. Work Experience: See how many years of work experience they have as a commercial general contractor in Southern California. If the contractor has many years of experience, they usually have a good network of sub-contractors.

        What projects do they undertake?

      If the contractor has  a website, you can take a look at the projects they’ve done. You will get a better idea of the quality of work you can expect. You will also know about the size of projects the contractor is capable of managing.

Always ask for references.  

  1. Compare your scope of work with the services the contractor provides. Do they provide all the services you need? What technical abilities do they have? Whether they build for your specific industry sector.
  1. Communication Skills: Call some shortlisted contractors for an interview. Commercial general contracting is pure teamwork.  Excellent communication is as crucial for your project’s success as sound planning is. Most delays and problems occur due to lack of communication. So, observe how well your contractor communicates.

         Insist on a one-point contact. Because then you won’t have to spend your time coordinating with every sub-contractor on your site.

  1. Timely Delivery– Delays could cost. So, ask the contractor about how they plan to complete the project on time. See how attentive the contractor is to your needs. What approach do they adopt to solve your problems?

To Conclude:

With so many parameters to take care of, it helps to outsource your commercial construction project to a reputed commercial general contractor.

And before you begin building, get all the permits and ensure the construction design and process is in line with the laws laid down by the state.

Plan to start a new construction project?

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