Renovating a home can be a huge project that requires many specialized tradespeople to complete. It can also be a major undertaking that involves significant financial investments.
Choosing the right professional can make all the difference in your renovation process. When planning a large commercial construction project, it’s important to partner with professionals who understand both the intricacies of the industry and the local regulations. Commercial general contractors miami fl have extensive experience working in this unique market and can provide the expertise needed to complete your project on time and within budget.
Establish a Budget
The first step in working with a general contractor is to establish your budget. This is critical because a budget can affect everything from the materials used in your build to your timeline and project scope.
Your budget should include both hard and soft costs. Hard costs are anything that can be directly attributed to the construction of your building, including materials, labor, utilities, and equipment rental. Soft costs are indirect expenses that can’t be directly attributed to your build, but still need to be included in the overall budget. These can include permits, design and engineering fees, pre-construction services, and inspections to name a few.
Once you’ve established your budget, it’s important to stay in contact with your contractor throughout the build. This helps foster open communication and prevents misunderstandings over financial details. It also allows for quick adjustments to keep your budget on track.
During this time, your contractor will prepare construction estimates based on historical comparable projects. They will also meet with you to discuss budget-impacting items like timelines, customization requests and zoning requirements. After preparing their estimates, contractors will submit them for review and selection. The final decision will often be based on price, but other factors may be considered as well such as the contractor’s history with the client, their knowledge of the local construction market and their safety and quality record.
Design a Floor Plan
The design phase of your home or commercial space project is a crucial step. It’s important to get it right, and a professional contractor can make sure that the process is as smooth and efficient as possible. They are familiar with local building codes and regulations, so they can avoid costly mistakes that may delay your project and increase your costs.
Professional contractors also have extensive experience with a wide variety of construction projects, from simple kitchen remodels to whole-home renovations. This gives them the knowledge and skills to ensure that your project is completed according to the latest standards, creating a functional and beautiful space that will stand the test of time.
When designing a floor plan, it’s essential to measure your space accurately. This will help you ensure that your new space is the right size for your ideas and furniture, as well as help prevent costly surprises down the road. For example, if you forget to account for the direction that doors swing, you might end up with a closet door banging into an open wall or a window.
A good general contractor will also be able to anticipate obstacles that might arise during the construction process and communicate them effectively with clients. They can also advise clients on best practices for maintaining tidiness during construction to minimize disruptions and keep their homes safe from damage.
Communicate with Your Contractor
A general contractor plays a pivotal role in major construction and remodeling projects. Also known as GCs, they are tasked with sourcing materials, obtaining permits and ensuring that the project follows the specified plan. Additionally, they manage subcontractors, tradespeople and vendors as well as liaise with architects or designers or condominium or co-op boards as needed.
A reputable general contractor will be transparent in communication with clients and provide realistic expectations for timelines, budgets and quality. They will also work as a partner on the job site, not trying to bully homeowners into purchasing materials or services that they don’t need and respecting home safety and privacy by keeping noise levels down to a minimum.
When comparing bids, be sure to ask each contractor to provide references from previous projects. It is also important to speak with these people directly and to get a feel for how their experiences were working with each contractor. If the contractor is unable or unwilling to provide references, you can always verify their credentials with your local government’s licensing agency or online resources such as Angi.
Building relationships with contractors can help to increase the number of referrals and leads you receive. A personal touch can be as simple as inviting them to lunch or visiting their job sites, if possible. Providing a catalog and brochures, as well as plenty of business cards can also be a great way to connect.
Hire Subcontractors
A general contractor is a professional in the construction industry who oversees all major aspects of your home remodeling or new construction project. Also known as a “GC” or “contractor,” a general contractor is responsible for procuring materials, securing necessary permits, and ensuring that all work adheres to your specified plan. A general contractor may work independently or run a contracting company that employs other professionals in the industry.
A skilled general contractor will communicate openly and honestly with their clients. They will be honest about the limitations of a project and its potential for setbacks, but will also help their client find creative solutions to overcome these hurdles. Additionally, a contractor who is passionate about the work will be dedicated to meeting deadlines and will make adjustments as needed.
Finally, a good general contractor will be well-versed in current building codes and standards. This knowledge will be invaluable when planning the project and identifying potential issues before they arise. Attending workshops and seminars, networking with other contractors, and reading trade publications are all great ways to stay up-to-date on best practices in the field.
In addition, a reputable general contractor will only use high-quality materials and supplies. Ask your contractor to submit all material information prior to ordering, including factory specs and warranties, as well as manufacturer model numbers and installation guidelines. This will help you keep an eye out for a less-than-reputable general contractor who might try to shave costs by buying the cheapest materials available.
Schedule Inspections
Regardless of whether you’re building a skyscraper or remodeling a small home, government inspections are often required. These inspections can have major implications for the project’s timeline, schedule and budget if not handled properly. The process of submitting materials, arranging for inspections and making sure all work is ready for the final walkthrough can be hampered by delays in requesting or receiving supplies, weather issues or even subcontractors falling through.
For this reason, GCs should have checklists and logs in place to streamline the routine inspections process. These lists should include a comprehensive “read-do” list of critical items that need to be completed and a daily log that keeps track of what was done and verified onsite. This allows GCs to stay ahead of the curve and prevents any onsite slip-ups that could result in an inspection failure.
Once the building is substantially complete, a GC and the owner usually do a walkthrough with an inspector to ensure that it meets all requirements for the permit sign-off. This final inspection can cover everything from nitty-gritty details like paint color and flooring to larger structural and mechanical components. Getting this inspection to pass requires a solid relationship with the inspector and a good understanding of what is required to pass.
Get a Final Invoice
Whether your client is paying out-of-pocket for a home remodel or using a construction loan to finance a new build, they’ll want to know how much you are charging for your service. Providing accurate cost estimates helps you to develop repeat customers and grow your general contracting business.
When preparing your estimate, you’ll need to consider your overhead costs as well as labor and material rates. It’s standard in the construction industry to include a contractor markup for materials and labor, which covers the cost of doing business, plus a profit margin. Other factors, like your location, material pricing, and construction unemployment rates may influence your markup.
Once your customer has approved the scope of work, you can prepare an invoice. Provide payment terms and a clear breakdown of what’s included in the estimate. You can also add a personal message or thank you note to improve customer relationships and encourage on-time payments.
At or near substantial completion, you’ll perform a project walk-through to check the renovations against the original design. If any items remain unfinished, list them on a punchlist and notify the GC so they can be completed. Ensure that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid before releasing the final payment to avoid a mechanic’s lien.