Choosing the right general contractor is critical when planning to expand or construct a new manufacturing facility. The success of your project depends on this choice, as a reliable contractor ensures a successful project outcome that meets quality, budget, and timeline expectations.
In this blog post, we draw on our extensive experience in industrial construction to provide you with the insights and knowledge needed to select the best general contractor for your specific manufacturing construction needs.
Continue reading to discover key considerations and common pitfalls to avoid in the contractor selection process, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your project goals.
Understanding the Importance of a Skilled Manufacturing Contractor
Manufacturing construction is complex, often involving custom designs and tight schedules that coincide with strict budget constraints. Your construction team needs to be just that: a team that will work with you from the very beginning of your concept through feasibility, budgeting, scheduling, value engineering, construction and post-construction.
A lot will be at stake when you construct a new manufacturing facility or undertake a significant renovation. Each project has its unique challenges, and the success of your project will depend on hiring the best, most experienced general contractor who has seen it all and can identify those complexities before they can create problems on the job site that result in going over budget and impacting the project's construction schedule.
So, how do you choose the right contractor who can understand your company's needs, work within your budget, meet your deadlines, work as a team player, and provide solutions and innovations along the way? The best way to answer this question is to highlight what you should avoid when looking for the best general contractor.
Keep reading to learn more!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a General Contractor
1. Inadequate Communication and Reachability
If a contractor doesn’t return your initial phone calls or emails, keep looking. You want a reputable company that stays in constant communication throughout all aspects of your project. The best contractors will be open and always striving to keep their clients informed. Typically, you will have an individual (project manager and executive in charge) or an entire team assigned to your project that will manage it from start to finish. If a company is not quick to provide you with information about your construction project, search for a more reliable company.
Your general contractor should be committed to supporting you from the project's inception to its completion, ensuring reliability and success every step of the way.
2. Lack of Transparency in Bidding
While it may be tempting to hire the lowest bidder, low costs do not always result in a quality deliverable. It’s important to remember the old adage: “You get what you pay for.” Look for aspects of the bid that are not transparent and ask questions to ensure the contractor is able to work within your budget. Does the bid cover all your project needs? Are any items left out or left for later? A good contractor will want to drill down into the details of your project to do quality cost estimating, so be prepared to answer a lot of questions and be specific about your needs (immediate and future) and your preferences. A bad contractor will dodge your questions and push to start working.
Read “Why Getting 3 Bids Is The Worst Thing You Can Do”
3. No Proven Track Record
A reliable contractor should be able to provide references from previous projects readily. If a company is unable to provide you with references from previous projects, this may indicate a lack of client satisfaction or inability to complete a project on time or on budget. Regardless, seek a contractor who has a high customer satisfaction rate and is open to sharing recommendations from previous clients.
Don’t hesitate to conduct this research on your own by searching their website or other review sources. Once again, ask questions of a potential contractor—doing your homework ahead of time will save you hassle and money in the long run.
A.C.E. Building Service brings extensive experience to every commercial construction project. We’ll take the time to understand your vision and offer the best cost estimate for your manufacturing facility project. Check out our project gallery here!
4. No Affiliation with Industry Associations
Membership in trade associations like Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) indicates a contractor's commitment to staying current with industry standards and training. If a contractor is not involved in trade associations, it may indicate their lack of desire to remain updated on the industry — which could mean you end up with a subpar deliverable.
Unsure about the best size and design for your new manufacturing facility? Check out our blog post, ‘How to Choose the Best Metal Building Size for Your Business,’ for expert tips and guidance!
Benefits of Hiring a Reliable Manufacturing Contractor
Whether your project is large or small, hiring an experienced commercial general contractor for your manufacturing facility offers numerous benefits. Managing a construction project demands a blend of specialized skills and extensive knowledge, along with considerable patience and time.
Here are some benefits of hiring a reliable general contractor:
Stress Reduction: Taking on a construction project alone can be overwhelming. A reliable contractor alleviates this stress, allowing you to focus on other priorities while they handle the complexities of the build.
Experience with Challenges: Experienced contractors are familiar with potential obstacles:
- They have faced and overcome unexpected roadblocks that could halt a project.
- They know the building process thoroughly, from securing necessary permits and approvals to navigating site-specific challenges like poor soils or stormwater issues.
- Their familiarity with the inspection process and their ability to select and manage subcontractors effectively ensures smoother project execution.
Strategic Advice: Your contractor acts as a trusted advisor:
- They guide you towards achieving your project goals within your budget.
- They recommend the best delivery systems for your specific needs, such as suggesting a pre-engineered metal building for tight budgets or schedules, or advising on expansions or renovations instead of new constructions.
Choosing the right general contractor not only helps in successfully executing your project but also ensures peace of mind, knowing that every detail is managed with expertise and care.
Tight budget and schedule? A pre-engineered metal building may be the best option for you. Start planning your project with us today!
Why Choose A.C.E. Building Service for Your Manufacturing Facility Project?
At A.C.E. Building Service, we offer more than just construction services; we provide peace of mind. Established in 1963, our foundation is built on a solid reputation of integrity, trust, and customer satisfaction. We serve diverse industries in Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Wisconsin's Lakeshore Area, and deliver projects that not only meet but exceed our clients’ expectations.
Are you looking to hire a reliable general contractor for your manufacturing facility project? Please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Interested in learning more? Download the “How To Choose The Best Contractor For Your Industrial Project” guidebook below, which includes a checklist of questions to ask when choosing a contractor.
