Choosing a Commercial General Contractor in Illinois: What You Should Look For
Choosing the right general contractor can have a major impact on how smoothly a commercial construction or renovation project runs. Beyond comparing prices, property owners and facility managers should consider a contractor’s experience, communication, ability to coordinate trades, and familiarity with the type of building being renovated.
Whether you are planning a commercial renovation in Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, or elsewhere in Illinois, here are some of the most important factors to consider when selecting a general contractor.
Look for Relevant Commercial Construction Experience
Commercial construction can be very different from residential work, and experience with similar projects matters.
A contractor who regularly works on commercial interiors, office buildouts, healthcare facilities, skilled nursing facilities, tenant improvements, or other commercial properties will generally be more familiar with the scheduling, coordination, inspections, and building systems involved.
It is also worth reviewing completed projects. Photos and examples of similar work can provide a better picture of a contractor’s capabilities than a list of services alone.
Make Sure They Can Coordinate the Entire Project
Most commercial renovations involve numerous trades and subcontractors.
Depending on the scope, a project may require demolition, framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, flooring, ceilings, painting, millwork, specialty contractors, and other trades.
A commercial general contractor should be able to manage these moving parts for the owner. That includes scheduling subcontractors in the proper sequence, coordinating site access, communicating changes, and keeping different trades from interfering with one another.
The more complicated the project becomes, the more important this coordination becomes.
Consider Communication and Project Management
Good construction management is not limited to what happens physically on the jobsite.
Owners should understand who will manage their project, who their primary point of contact will be, and how construction updates and important decisions will be communicated.
Commercial projects frequently involve owners, facility staff, architects, engineers, vendors, inspectors, and subcontractors. Clear communication between these groups can help prevent small questions or scheduling conflicts from becoming larger problems.
Look for Experience in Occupied Facilities
If your business or facility will remain open during construction, look for a contractor with experience working in occupied buildings.
Renovating an active healthcare facility, nursing home, office, or commercial property may require phased construction, temporary barriers, maintained access, careful scheduling, and coordination with facility staff.
Working around residents, patients, employees, or customers adds another layer of planning that may not exist in a vacant building.
Verify Insurance, Licensing, and Project Requirements
Before hiring a general contractor in Illinois, owners should confirm that the contractor carries appropriate insurance and meets the licensing or registration requirements that apply to the project and municipality.
Commercial construction requirements can vary by location and project type, so permitting, inspections, building codes, and other local requirements should also be discussed before construction begins.
A professional contractor should be able to provide the appropriate documentation and help determine what will be required for the project.
Consider Their Preconstruction Capabilities
A good general contractor can provide value before construction starts.
During preconstruction, contractors may help evaluate the proposed scope, review existing site conditions, coordinate with architects and engineers, develop budgets, identify potential scheduling issues, and plan how the project will be completed.
Getting the contractor involved early can also help owners understand potential challenges before crews arrive on site.
Do Not Choose Based on Price Alone
Cost is always important, but the lowest construction proposal is not automatically the best value.
Owners should make sure they understand what is included in each contractor’s scope, what may be excluded, and whether the proposals being compared cover the same work.
Experience, communication, project management, scheduling, and the contractor’s ability to successfully complete the project should all be part of the decision.
Choosing an Illinois Commercial General Contractor
Expert Building Maintenance, Inc. is a Burr Ridge-based commercial general contractor serving Chicago, Chicagoland, Illinois, and the greater Midwest.
EBM has provided commercial construction services since 2001, with experience in healthcare renovations, skilled nursing facilities, dialysis buildouts, office buildouts, tenant improvements, commercial interiors, facility upgrades, and select ground-up construction.
As your general contractor, EBM coordinates the trades and subcontractors required for your project while managing scheduling, site coordination, communication, inspections, and construction through final turnover.
If you are planning a commercial construction or renovation project in Illinois, contact EBM to discuss your project and schedule a site walkthrough.
