{"id":1653,"date":"2024-04-15T08:30:26","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T12:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/?p=1653"},"modified":"2024-03-29T15:33:10","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T19:33:10","slug":"commercial-contractor-traits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/commercial-contractor-traits\/","title":{"rendered":"Unexpected Must-Have Traits for a Commercial Contractor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before looking for a commercial contractor\u2019 you\u2019ll most likely create a list of must-have traits for your ideal choice. While this list can (and should) include local experience, expertise in your specific type of project, and solid communication skills, there are other unexpected must-have traits to add to your list.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A solid game plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Understanding the fragments of construction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hiring the right folks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The ability to collaborate\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mastering the art of minimal disruption\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This blog will go into more detail about each and showcase businesses local to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Hampton Roads that benefitted from these underrated advantages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A solid game plan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many clients, especially those who are newer to the commercial construction space, are anxious about whether a contractor will be able to meet the budget or timeline for the project. This is a valid concern and one that can\u2019t always be predicted before starting a project.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, one trait possessed by all contractors who finish projects on time and on budget is the ability to develop a game plan. To ensure a contractor can do this, watch out for these signs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They are easy to communicate with\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Their website demonstrates a track record of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/pph\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">successful projects<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You leave each conversation more confident in your project, not more confused<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Their construction bid lays out a solid timeline and scope of work<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They include a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/commercial-construction-contract\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">general conditions clause<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in their construction bid<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Understands the stages of construction<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Construction is an industry with many stages, similar to healthcare. Let\u2019s say you think you have a cold and go to a primary care doctor. They diagnose your symptoms as a chronic respiratory condition like asthma. Instead of keeping you in their office for treatment, they\u2019ll refer you to a specialist. They may also prescribe medicine, which you would then pick up from a pharmacist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Construction works in a similar way. There are many moving parts and players working on each construction project and multiple steps in finding the right \u201ctreatment.\u201d The right contractor understands how construction and healthcare are similar and can coordinate the many \u201cspecialists and treatments\u201d needed for your project.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Solid business processes\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We often pay attention to a contractor\u2019s craft. While it\u2019s important to select a licensed contractor with expertise in your project type, it\u2019s also important that they\u2019re an expert at implementing efficient business processes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many construction projects are delayed due to poor project management or inefficient administrative processes. A contractor who understands the backend of running a business and how to hire the right people for project management is more likely to finish a project on time and on budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hire the right folks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each year, there are 50,000 fewer homes made than there should be. Why? Contractors can\u2019t find qualified, committed workers. Right now, the entire construction industry is facing a labor shortage and that often impacts how fast projects are completed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With this current shortage, you should look for a contractor who understands how to hire and retain the best folks. Some signs that a contractor can do this include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A comprehensive training program to develop the next level of construction employee<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Employees who have worked on many projects for their company<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Social media highlights for their employees\u2019 accomplishments<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ability to collaborate<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A contractor is an expert in construction and should take a leading role in determining how a project operates. But they should also be open in their communication and willing to collaborate with clients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To find a contractor who can collaborate, pay attention to how they approached past projects. Specifically, you should look for contractors who adjust the scope of work so it meets clients\u2019 visions of the future and their budgets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/case_studies\/mccormick-law\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">McCormick Law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, for example, chose to collaborate with Carlton Building Services, they had a specific vision for what they wanted their space to look like. They also had a strict budget and their original vision didn\u2019t fit within the budget. The Carlton team took the time to understand this vision and collaborated with them on a solution that captured their business\u2019 expansion and stayed within budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mastered the art of minimal disruption\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No one likes the coworker who chomps loudly on carrots in the middle of the workday. Similarly, a contractor who uses noisy equipment is not a friendly coworker. If a construction team is working while your team is in the office, you should find a contractor skilled in the art of minimal disruption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At Carlton Building Services, many of our clients say that our team is like family by the end of the project because we contribute to the overall well-being of the commercial space and create few disruptions. At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/case_studies\/first-colonial-inn\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">First Colonial Inn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, for example, Carlton Building Services\u2019 employees opened doors for residents, helped them carry in groceries, and made their lives better, not harder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still wondering what qualities a good contractor has? Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What are the qualities of a good contractor?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A good contractor is easy to communicate with, stays on budget and on time, and is transparent throughout the construction project. They should also take the time to understand your business and your company\u2019s ideal future so they can encapsulate that in their renovations, build out, or remodel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What should I look for in a contract with a contractor?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first, and most important, factor to look for in a construction contract is that everything is covered. You want the price, scope of work, how change orders work, and the project timeline outlined in writing. Beyond that, you also work with a contractor who has a general conditions clause that outlines how they work and what will happen if there\u2019s a need to deviate from the original plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How do I prepare to meet a contractor?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before meeting with a contractor, clarify what type of project you\u2019re completing (a new build, a renovation, remodel, or build out) and if that project is commercial or residential. Only talk to contractors who specialize in your specific type of project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before meeting with potential contractors, prepare a few questions about their experience and project management skills for your specific project type. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before looking for a commercial contractor\u2019 you\u2019ll most likely create a list of must-have traits for your ideal choice. While this list can (and should) include local experience, expertise in your specific type of project, and solid communication skills, there are other unexpected must-have traits to add to your list. These include: A solid game [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1361,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[118,210],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1653"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1653"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1655,"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1653\/revisions\/1655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}