Taking on a commercial construction project requires coordination between several professional subcontractors to get the job done right. As a general contractor, developer, or business owner, finding experienced and reliable subcontractors for your commercial build is crucial to maintaining timelines and budgets. This guide will provide tips on hiring qualified subcontractors specializing in the key trades needed for commercial construction projects.
Define the Scope and Requirements Upfront
The first step when bringing subcontractors onto a commercial job is defining the exact scope of work and requirements expected. Clearly determine the square footage, materials, project specifications, timelines, and milestones. Provide subcontractors with blueprints, architectural plans, and relevant details about the build. Being as clear as possible about your expectations helps subcontractors provide accurate project estimates and bid pricing.
Research and Shortlist Qualified Subcontractor Candidates
Finding experienced commercial subcontractors begins with research on contractors available in your region. Online reviews, referrals from colleagues, and industry reputation can help narrow down the list. Prequalify each subcontractor under consideration by verifying relevant licenses, insurance certificates, bonds, and compliance documents. Evaluate experience working on comparable commercial projects and expertise in the required trade skillsets. Shortlist 3-5 of the most qualified candidates.
Request Bids and Interview Finalists
The bidding process allows you to compare project estimates side-by-side from qualified subs. Require detailed bids outlining costs, projected timelines, staffing, materials, and more. Conduct in-person interviews with finalists to assess communication skills and experience. Ask about their capacity to take on a new project and how they will approach your specific job. Choose the commercial subcontractors that offer the best value, experience, and ability to complete the work professionally.
Secure Agreements and Monitor Performance
Formal subcontractor agreements protect all parties involved in the project. The contract terms should cover scope, timelines, payment schedule, change order process, insurance requirements, materials, manpower, and more. Provide supervision and have a system to track subcontractor performance throughout the project lifecycle. Address any issues immediately and document regularly. Payment terms tied to milestone completion motivates subs to remain on schedule.
Key Trades to Subcontract for Commercial Construction
These are the most common specialty subcontractors hired for major commercial construction projects:
Electrical Subcontractors
Commercial electrical systems can be highly complex, requiring certified electricians. Ensure electrical subs have expertise in areas like high voltage wiring, lighting, generators, distribution, and installation of panels, transformers, and equipment.
Plumbing Subcontractors
Commercial plumbing encompasses both water supply and sewer systems at a large scale. Projects may require knowledge of stormwater drainage, natural gas lines, irrigation, fire suppression, and industrial piping.
HVAC Subcontractors
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems require specialized subcontractors in commercial spaces. HVAC subs size and install ventilation ductwork, boilers, furnaces, chillers, air handlers, thermostats, and commercial HVAC equipment.
Drywall Subcontractors
On a commercial build, drywall subs handle plastering, taping, mudding, and finishing to create smooth interior walls ready for paint and final finishes. The work is labor intensive and requires large crews with stamina.
Masonry Subcontractors
Masonry subs specialize in brick, stone, and block work for structural and decorative elements. They build masonry components like walls, floors, fireplaces, walkways, and facades per architectural plans. Skilled masons are essential on builds with masonry features.
Roofing Subcontractors
Commercial roofing requires roofers experienced in materials like PVC, TPO, EPDM, and built-up roofing often used on flat or low slope buildings. Roofing subcontractors provide weather tight installation, repairs, and maintenance.
Concrete Subcontractors
Concrete contractors specialize in forming, pouring, finishing, and curing structural concrete elements like foundations, floors, walls, ramps, driveways, loading docks, and more. They handle concrete delivery, pumping, leveling, and crack control.
Framing Subcontractors
Rough carpentry subs frame the skeleton of the building including walls, roof, flooring, and wood structural components. They follow plans and building codes to transform a shell into the interior rooms and layout.
Doors and Windows Subcontractors
This specialized trade handles the supply and installation of commercial doors, door hardware, and window systems. Subcontractors integrate exterior doors and windows into the structure per specification.
Glass and Glazing Subcontractors
Glass and glazing subs source and install glass curtain walls, window walls, skylights, storefront systems, mirrors, railings, and interior glass. They incorporate glass elements per design aesthetic and function.
Flooring Subcontractors
From concrete polishing to tile, wood, and carpeting, flooring subs prep and install floor finishes based on use and wear requirements of each area. Moisture mitigation, underlayment, transitions between materials, and perfect seams take skill.
Fire Protection Subcontractors
Specialized fire protection subcontractors design, supply, and integrate life safety systems including commercial fire alarms, sprinklers, fire pumps, smoke evacuation, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers.
Solar Subcontractors
For eco-friendly solar power systems, specialized solar contractors handle permitting, engineering, procurement, installation, and activation of solar panels, inverters, and other system components.
Low Voltage Subcontractors
Technology and A/V systems involve low voltage electrical subcontractors to wire and integrate audio visual, IT, access control, surveillance systems, digital signage, and telecom systems.
Final Touches with Qualified Subs
A commercial construction project relies on dozens of qualified subcontractors working in sync to bring architectural plans to life. Taking time to research, prequalify, interview, and hire the best commercial subs for each trade makes hitting deadlines, budgets, and quality work more achievable. Use this guide to build a dream team of professional subcontractors for your next commercial build.
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