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What to look for in construction companies for your commercial project in Philadelphia, PA
August 12, 2021 at 7:00 AM
What to look for in construction companies for your commercial project in Philadelphia, PA

Commercial construction projects aren’t like typical residential projects in that there are additional safety measures that need to be taken as well as structural requirements. Additionally, the scope of the project is often very different from that of a residential build. This is why it’s important to work with construction companies in Philadelphia, PA that are familiar with the nuance and processes that come with commercial builds. At IBM Construction Management & General Contractor, we know it’s important to find someone who knows how to complete a commercial project so we have things to look for in a company.

Industry experience

When you need a construction company for your commercial project, consider the companies that have experience in the industry in which you work. For instance, certain features need to be put in place when building a medical laboratory or security features in a pharmacy. They must understand the industry standards for building.

Amount of focus on commercial projects

How often does this company work on commercial projects? Understand that anybody who works on commercial projects will have had to start somewhere so not everybody you speak with will have decades of commercial experience. However, take into consideration the amount of time they spend on commercial work. Are they dedicating 5% or 75% of their time to commercial projects? Ask how much time they dedicate to commercial projects so you can find out how serious they are about that side of their work.

Communication skills

Communication is an important aspect of any project. You’re going to want to work with somebody who values your time enough to make an effort in providing you with updates along the way. Take note of how well the construction company communicates with you during your vetting process because that’s most likely a reflection of how well they’ll communicate for the duration of the project.

Strong references

Before you hire a company for your commercial project, you should speak with others in the industry to learn more about them. It’s OK to ask for references so you can learn more from those they’ve worked with previously as well as their peers in the industry. Find out everything you can about what it’s like to work with them and the quality of work they do.

Realistic timeline

The timeline that construction companies give for a project should be realistic. This means that they should be able to provide you with a step-by-step outline of the project and how long it will take along the way. A contractor might be anxious to land a job and provide you with an unrealistically fast timeline. While this might sound appealing, keep in mind that quality work is going to take a certain amount of time to complete. Conversely, teams need to be able to work efficiently enough to your job done when it’s supposed to be. It’s wise to avoid a company that might try to put your project on the back burner and not make it a priority.

Contact us to learn more

If you’d like to learn more about finding the right construction company in Philadelphia, PA for your commercial project, get in touch with our team at IBM Construction Management & General Contractor. We can help you with your commercial build in a variety of aspects from construction management to project planning and more. Give us a call at 267-202-1400 or feel free to send any inquiries through our online contact form. We look forward to working with you.