The COVID-19 pandemic affected a lot of businesses, but few were hit as hard as the construction industry. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 60% of workers said the biggest consequence was the shortage of materials. Things are getting closer to normal again, which means you can feel better about hiring a commercial general contractor. There are questions that you should ask, though. Here are four of them.

1. How Experienced Are You?

Are you planning a big project? You want to be sure that you are hiring someone who has spent a good amount of time in this field. They will know what to look for and have a firm grasp of what materials will be needed. This experience will also pay off with them being able to do the job efficiently and professionally. They won't be cutting corners, and they will automatically know the steps that they need to take, which will reduce the amount of time they need to spend on it and the chances of them having to re-do anything will be low. This will ensure you have the peace of mind that you're hiring a team that has years of experience for the type of project you're looking to complete.

2. Have You Done a Similar Project?

This may sound sort of like the first question, but it's an important one to ask. Having someone who has done something like your project before can help with the whole planning process and then the execution of that plan. They will be able to visualize what your project is going to look like while they are doing it, which will mean that you won't have to spend as much time in the discussion part. All of this will put you at ease while they're doing the project. Feel peace of mind by making sure you ask this question before hiring a contractor in the area.

3. How Long Will It Take?

A good commercial general contractor will allow for any uncertainty when it comes to telling you how long your project will take them. They will give some buffer room for things, including bad weather or other delays. In essence, they will give you a quote that also allows them to under-promise and over-deliver, so that if things go smoothly they can finish ahead of schedule, which will make both of you quite happy. If they offer you a really tight schedule, then you might have to worry about them possibly not being focused on all aspects of the job. Do a bit of research so that you have a ballpark idea of how long it would take and then check against that.

4. Can You Handle the Project?

You should know that the contractor that you hire is not only confident in their abilities but that they are self-aware of any potential limitations. You don't want to find out later that they didn't actually have the skills. This is where you can ask about references. As mentioned before, this would just be you conducting business. There's nothing personal about it, and an experienced contractor will know that and answer your questions accordingly. No matter how big or small the project, you should ensure you find an experienced team who can handle it.

These are just four questions that you can ask. Others include asking them about their claim history, who will design your project, whether you can meet their team, whether they provide estimates, and what their payment schedule is. It's important to do all this research beforehand so that you can make the most educated choice. Otherwise, you run the risk of making a very, very expensive mistake. If you get satisfactory answers to the above questions, you will tilt the odds in your favor toward choosing the right contractor for your needs.

Are you looking for a commercial general contractor to do a job for you? We can help you find experienced ones that will fit all of your criteria. Contact our dependable crew today at Farrar & Associates Inc to learn more about our services! We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss our projects with you before we get started with anything you need!