Did you know that there are approximately 10.2 million construction workers in the United States? The construction industry is essential to major cities worldwide and helps people shape their businesses for the better.
A construction project for your business is no different. However, it can be challenging to understand the benefits of hiring a general contractor if you’ve never worked with one before.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the top ten benefits of hiring a general contractor for your commercial construction project!
1. CONNECTIONS TO SUBCONTRACTORS AND VENDORS
General contractors have extensive experience in the construction industry. They have access to high-quality products and reputable vendors since they’ve typically worked with them in the past.
They also have experience using reliable subcontractors, like:
- Electricians
- Bricklayers
- Roofers
- Plumbers
General contractors know how to find the right workers with the best type of experience for your commercial construction project. Ultimately, having an extensive network of subcontractors speeds up your project timeline so you can get back to business.
You just need to know what to look for when hiring a general contractor. Checking licensure and past customer reviews will lead you to the best local contractors in your area.
2. EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY
Your business is your livelihood, and you don’t want to entrust your project to just anybody. An experienced general contractor has had many other construction projects prior to yours. Typically they’ll have experience in a variety of industries, such as:
- Restaurants
- Office space
- Retail space
- Health and wellness facilities
- Pet clinics
General contractors also know how to make sure your building is up to code. They can spot issues before they become more significant problems and fix them immediately. You won’t need to worry about costly time delays that occur when a building doesn’t pass inspection.
General contractors are familiar with common issues that delay commercial renovations, like weather challenges, errors in project specs, and obstacles with the property. They know how to navigate these issues to keep your project on track.
Finally, they know how long projects will usually take and the best materials to use.
3. PROVIDES A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT
Remember, a commercial construction project has many moving parts and people to bring your vision to life.
Your project becomes more complicated when you don’t hire a general contractor. This is because hiring multiple subcontractors involves keeping track of many people and different contracts.
In addition, dealing with multiple vendors can become a serious hassle when you’re trying to run a business.
When you hire a general contractor, you have only one contract to manage. You’ll also only have one communication point.
General contractor responsibilities involve taking care of the project scope, timeline, and budget. As a result, you’ll develop a working relationship with your general contractor. This makes it much easier to ask questions and get answers quickly.
You’ll get regular updates about the project and can immediately address any concerns.
4. CUSTOMIZABLE SERVICES FOR YOUR PROJECT
One of the biggest benefits of using a general contractor is that you’ll get a custom commercial building design.
A general contractor will take the time to establish a relationship with you. All you need to do is share your ideas and goals. Your general contractor will assemble a team of experts to meet your needs which include the following:
- Interior designer
- Landscape architect
- Structural engineer
- General architect
Sometimes you might not be 100% sure of what direction you want to go in, but you have some general ideas. In this case, you’ll review material choices and design details. You’ll also find out how easily your general contractor can build the design you have in mind.
If your design needs any changes, they’ll be able to come up with a variety of custom options you can choose from.
As a result, you’ll have an inviting and accessible space that puts your staff and customers at ease.
5. BETTER FOR YOUR BUDGET
General contractors are essential for keeping your construction project budget on track. You’ll thoroughly review your goals and project budget when you first meet with a general contractor. You’ll discuss your expectations of the project in detail.
You’ll also get a breakdown of the costs involved, so you know exactly what you will be spending.
Working with a general contractor also allows for better management of subcontractors and vendors. They have access to buy materials in bulk and can often get discounted rates that you don’t have access to.
They also know how to manage the project timeline efficiently, saving you more money in the long run.
6. SAVES YOU TIME
Commercial construction projects can sometimes take six months to over a year to complete, depending on their scale. A new construction project can quickly become problematic without the proper schedule in place.
A general contractor will manage the project timeline by putting a specific schedule in place. If there is an unexpected setback, they have the expertise to know how to handle it and move the project forward.
Your general contractor can accomplish this by reviewing project documents, specs, and plans. They’ll then create a master schedule that guides the project through the completion date. This master schedule includes the estimated start and completion date for each task. Doing this ensures there will be enough resources and equipment to complete each task.
Remember, there are many ways your project can get off course. However, this master schedule allows your contractor to identify potential ways your schedule might be disrupted and create contingency plans.
7. LESS STRESS OVERALL
You have enough on your plate when you’re running a business. Taking on the burden of a construction project can leave you extremely stressed.
Hiring a general contractor relieves you of this burden. They’ll take over every aspect of the project from start to finish. This includes obtaining permits, taking care of inspections, and notifying subcontractors of any changes.
A general contractor will even take care of post-construction responsibilities like:
- Returning rented equipment
- Cleaning up the project site
- Filing any necessary paperwork
- Ensuring all invoices are paid
- Answering all your questions about the completed project
8. BETTER SAFETY FOR STAFF AND VISITORS
The first priority during any construction project is safety. You’ll need to be sure that any staff or other visitors to the job site are safe.
Hiring a licensed general contractor will ensure your project is done according to industry standards. Professional construction companies must use best practices to ensure OSHA safety standards are in place.
General contractors have enough experience to make the final call when unforeseen conditions like inclement weather compromise the safety of job site workers.
They’ll also be able to set a realistic time frame that allows work to be completed safely.
9. LICENSING AND INSURANCE
Another significant benefit of hiring a general contractor in Florida is licensing and insurance. In the state of Florida, you need a license to work as a contractor in the state legally.
Applicants must meet specific education and experience requirements and pass an examination to obtain licensure. They need to have liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage and also show good financial management.
This license ensures you they can legally work on your construction project. It also ensures they have the experience and education to do the job effectively. You also have peace of mind knowing they’re insured and will comply with local building codes and safety protocols.
10. FAMILIAR WITH THE LOCAL AREA
When you hire a general contractor in Tampa, you’ll be essentially hiring a local expert. A local general contractor is familiar with your area’s rules, regulations, and building codes.
They’ll also be aware of various local factors that might impact your project. For example, local events may tie up certain subcontractors, which would delay certain parts of the job. There also may be certain times of the year when subcontractors take off to attend special events.
Also, your local weather plays a massive role in the timing of your project. A general contractor is well aware of the climate and what times of the year will have the most weather delays.
Overall, a local general contractor can easily plan around these issues in advance and avoid time-consuming and expensive problems.
ENJOY THESE BENEFITS OF HIRING A GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Now you know the benefits of hiring a general contractor in Tampa, FL, you can get to work finding a company to handle your commercial construction needs.
Luckily, you won’t need to look any further than C-Cubed Commercial Construction. We focus on the buildout of restaurant, office, retail, and wellness spaces. We have all the experience necessary to make the space you envision a reality.
We have a team of experts on hand to help you get your business where it needs to be as soon as possible.
We look forward to helping you, so make you contact us today to start the process!