Top 10 Questions to Ask Commercial Renovation Contractors Before Hiring

Commercial renovations, large or small-scale, are no less complicated than building a new structure ground up. The first step is hiring the right commercial renovation contractor who will know what is required to plan and execute your vision for your business space effortlessly.

The President of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Chris Egner advises project owners to find multiple contractors to interview. As an industry best practice, request three to four quotes from different companies, perform your due diligence, and research each one of them before awarding the contract.

In this blog, explore the top ten questions you must ask commercial renovation contractors when interviewing them and the answers you should seek.

Table of Contents

1. Can You Show Proof of Your License, Insurance, and Bonds?

Asking commercial renovation contractors for the official documents of their professional credentials is the most basic question you will ask before hiring.

Always remember to verify contractor licenses and make a copy for your records. Any reputable commercial general contractor will carry the following:

General Contractor License specific to the state or county
General Liability Insurance
Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Surety Bonds

Licensing vouches that the commercial renovation contractor is approved by the state to legally, safely, and ethically work in your area. On top of that, carrying a certificate of insurance and being bonded will protect you and commercial renovation contractors against financial or legal liabilities in unforeseen circumstances. For example, worker injuries, on-site accidents, or property damages.

2. What’s Your Experience in Handling Commercial Renovation Projects?

Asking questions about a company’s relevant experience will help ascertain that they are qualified enough to manage the unique scope of your project.

Start interviewing the commercial renovator with these questions – How long have you been in the construction business? Have you worked on renovation projects similar to ours? Can you share some of your client references? Some commercial contractors specialize in small repairs or renovations while others offer complete remodeling services.

Experienced companies will have skilled subcontractors and efficient systems to run a project smoothly. New companies will offer commercial construction services at much lower prices and better quality in order to prove themselves. Make it a point to contact references and ask them if they are satisfied with the renovator’s performance.

3. How Much Will Our Renovation Cost and How Did You Arrive at the Estimate?

Commercial renovation cost per square foot ranges from $30 to $450 depending on the building type and location with final price estimates influenced by various factors.

One of the most essential questions to ask commercial renovation contractors is – what will be the overall project cost?
A building renovation typically includes expenses for labor, materials, building permits, and contingency costs. Delve further into their estimating process and inquire how they develop accurate budgets.

Besides the overall price estimate, ask commercial renovation contractors “Can you provide itemized bids?” An itemized breakdown of prices enables you to compare different contractor bids and identify components where cost savings can be made.

For example, the price estimate for laminate flooring is $2,500, but you can substitute it with hardwood flooring of similar quality worth $1,200 and save $1,300.

4. How Long Will It Take to Complete the Renovation Project?

Having a clear idea about the estimated renovation timeline will prepare your team for any business disruptions and plan their move-out schedule accordingly.

Ask commercial renovation contractors for a well-defined timeline. Be upfront if you need the renovation project wrapped up by a certain date. Organized commercial renovation contractors proactively assess your project’s needs and establish a schedule including approximate start and end dates.

Renovating an office cabin will take a week, whereas a more extensive kitchen remodel could take four to six weeks.

Hence, the project timeline depends on the scope and complexity of the renovation design. Another question to ask is how they will overcome challenges related to property, material or labor shortages, weather conditions, etc. and keep the construction on schedule.

5. Do You Hire Subcontractors? Who’s There on Your Team?

A building renovation project is a team effort, so make sure the people working in your business space are trustworthy.

Does the commercial renovation contractor have in-house employees or do they subcontract specialty work, like plumbing, electrical, roofing, or landscaping? Although both situations are acceptable, a commercial construction company’s in-house employees are more likely to show up on time.

Obtain a list of all hired subcontractors and ask the commercial renovation contractor to submit proof of the licenses and insurance of each subcontractor. Seek information on what basis they hire subcontractors for renovation projects and ensure quality work. It will be also helpful to understand how they coordinate between their team and subcontractors for timely completion.

6. Will You Obtain Permits Required For This Renovation Project?

Any type of modification other than minor aesthetic changes will require a licensed professional to obtain permits and execute the job.

Before signing the contract, understand what permitting services you will get from potential commercial renovation contractors. Are building permits necessary for this renovation project? If yes, will you obtain them and do all the paperwork? What are the permitting costs included? Avoid hiring contractors who offer to work without permits.

Local regulatory bodies have zoning ordinances and building codes that every commercial construction project must follow. For example, codes related to structural integrity, fire safety, MEP systems, and accessibility.

Because of this, it’s preferable to hire local general contractors and subcontractors knowledgeable in these requirements. Commercial renovation contractors will schedule inspections and be present on-site along with the building inspector.

7. How Will You Manage The Project and Resolve Issues?

Without an effective project manager, mistakes and schedule delays may occur.

Asking detailed questions about a commercial renovation contractor’s project management systems is what every client must do. It gives an insight into their collaboration, organization, and risk management skills.

Who will be assigned to our renovation project for daily supervision?
If there are changes to the design elements not specified in the contract, what does the process look like?
How do you resolve disputes within the project team?
What strategies will you employ to minimize disturbances to the occupants during renovations?
How do you plan to address unexpected challenges during the construction?
What sets you apart from other commercial renovation contractors?

Your construction team may entail a construction manager only or a general contractor working as the project manager.

8. How Do We Stay In Touch With Your Team? What Communication Means Will Be Used?

Every renovation or remodeling company will understand the significance of open dialogue between all parties involved.

For successful renovation or remodels, it’s essential to set clear communication expectations between you and the general contractor. Who will be your main point of contact? How frequent will be the communication schedule for receiving progress updates? Will you be able to text, call, or email this point of contact?

Ask the company how they plan to conduct face-to-face meetings with project stakeholders and address any potential issues during the construction. See to it that the renovation team follows proper documentation practices, such as materials used, logistics, and other activities.

9. What Are Your Payment Terms?

It’s a matter of top priority for you and the commercial renovation contractor to agree upon payment terms before signing the contract.

Ask the renovation contractor how they are going to bill you for the work. Will you pay everything upfront or will there be smaller payments as the project progresses? Do we need to pay signing deposits? What payment methods are you comfortable with? In case you are late or require extra time to arrange the funds, then what’s the process?

Some builders ask for a down payment (usually 10% of the contract sum) before locking the deal. However, a commercial contractor requesting a significant advance indicates a red flag. Whatever the payment terms, make sure they are specified in your written agreement with the renovator.

10. Will You Provide A Written Contract?

Professional commercial renovation contractors will put everything in writing, detailing the scope of work and associated costs.

Before any money gets transferred or construction starts, ask the contractor whether they will specify every detail in a written contract. Are the renovation drawings and specifications a part of the contract? Did they mention construction start and end dates? Are the payment schedule and terms written as discussed? What is the level of detail and will they give examples?

In commercial remodeling or renovation, there are various types of contracts written. For example, a lump sum or fixed-price contract is suitable for small renovations with well-defined scopes. On the other hand, a cost-plus contract is ideal for complex renovations with evolving scopes.

Conclusion

Selecting a commercial contractor for your renovation project is a crucial decision as they will transform and occupy your workspace for an extended period. Question them about their credentials, experience, budget and schedule estimation process, team coordination, range of services, and payment terms. Ask your renovation contractor to document everything in the form of a written agreement.

Interviewing several contractors with a long list of questions may get tiring, but it will definitely prevent major pitfalls that many business owners face during commercial renovation projects.

Work With Us

Reach out to Constructive Solutions, Inc. today if you are looking for a trustworthy renovation contractor for your next project. Our exceptional commercial renovation services offer personalized attention from start to finish and quality workmanship, delivering results that meet your specifications.

FAQs

Are workmanship and material warranty necessary?

Yes, they are. Dependable renovation or remodeling contractors will guarantee workmanship and materials warranty for typically one year. These warranties promise that the installation of all products and materials will be free of defects.

How to ensure safety on my renovation site?

Ask the commercial renovator about their safety protocols, the reliability of subcontractors, and whether the team follows OSHA regulations. Review their plans for separating the construction site from the occupying tenants.

Can I ask renovation contractors to plan and design the renovation before hiring them?

Yes, you can ask commercial renovation contractors to develop a preliminary plan and design before making the hiring decision. This will help you assess their ideas, expertise, and whether their vision aligns with yours. If not, consider working with a design-build contractor who streamlines the entire process by undertaking both the architectural design and construction phases.

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