Tips From a General Contractor on a Smooth Design/Build Process for Your Commercial Property in Westchester County, NY
Starting a project on your commercial property is a lot like going into business with someone. While there may not be a long-term investment planned with a contractor, the stakes are high and there needs to be a high level of trust, planning, communication, and professionalism. Knowing the signs of a great contractor before a project begins is a crucial aspect to success in the partnership and all parties satisfied. Here are three tips from a general contractor on a smooth design/build process for your commercial property in Westchester County, NY.
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Expect Great Communication
From the very first moment when contact is made, you’re going to need to receive clear and effective communication from the contractor day in and day out. With the welfare of the project, the business, the community, the construction workers, your clients, and your employees all at stake, poor communication can and should be a deal breaker.
Inside normal business hours, an experienced project manager should be reachable within minutes to offer advice, console any concerns, and offer solutions. The best contractors will even have an emergency line where someone can be reached at all hours in case an outside force threatens the project. When you have questions for your contractor, you should expect them to be answered quickly and without hesitation.
There should be a hierarchy of communication in the contractor firm of your choosing. The process of successfully finishing a project needs the expertise of many individuals with different talents. A general contractor in Westchester County, NY should have multiple departments that cover the design, engineering, and construction processes separately. However, when it comes to dealing with the client, a general contractor should have one voice.
Build A Personal Relationship
Any successful commercial design/build project will have one person in charge of every aspect. This project manager not only needs to be reachable throughout the span of the project, but they also need to be able to make decisions quickly, which is why a constant flow of information is key. A confident and experienced project manager will be able to juggle all of the moving parts of such a complicated project.
A thing to keep in mind is that the project manager is someone who has been chosen to successfully execute a project. They are the trusted representatives of the general contractor. Their professional conduct and expertise are indicative of how the business operates. If you’re unsure about the project manager’s qualifications, it might be good to check with the owner.
Comb Over Details
All of the most important details of your commercial project should be exhaustively laid out in the contract from start to finish. This contract will ensure that both parties are accountable throughout the process. A professional and well-organized general contractor will have all plans, liabilities, disclaimers, insurance details, and responsibilities elucidated well before the project begins.
A contract that seems short is likely missing some serious aspects about safety and work quality. Think about the worst scenario that can happen during your project. If that incident isn’t covered by clauses in the contract or your contractor’s insurance, that means that you will be on the hook in any case of injury or damage as the owner of the property. Make sure to comb through the contract with your lawyer before beginning such a large project. Call our general contractor in Westchester County, NY.