Picture this: your business needs room to expand or even a new location. You decide to put out your project to bid and receive several attractive prices and timelines! The lowest bid is from a residential contractor, but they should be able to do your commercial project…right?
Even if you’re a seasoned professional in the construction game, choosing the right general contractor for your project should be a well-thought-out decision. General contractors are not all the same, and it’s important to distinguish the difference between a “residential contractor” and a “commercial contractor”.
The Difference in Residential and Commercial General Contractors
A residential contractor focuses on single-family homes, townhouses, duplexes, and other projects for residential clients. They understand residential building codes and ensure a home is safe for its occupants.
A commercial general contractor traditionally specializes in larger-scale projects. Think healthcare facilities, warehouses, office buildings, retail centers, and even multi-family development. While apartment complexes fall into the residential category, the scale, and more complex building requirements can lean more commercial. Permitting and building codes for commercial projects are typically stricter than residential ones, focusing on accessibility, fire safety, egress requirements, and more.
The two can overlap. For example, Commerce Construction is licensed to perform residential projects (although we are exclusively a commercial general contractor), and a residential contractor with the right license could work on a commercial project, but they may not have the additional certifications and training a commercial general contractor (referred to as a G.C.) has.
How Do I Decide?
Many industries have specific building requirements. For example, healthcare facilities utilize programs like ICRA and LEED certification to create safe and efficient buildings but come with a minefield of knowledge requirements for a commercial general contractor. Deficiencies in these and things like knowing which materials to choose or which permits to pull can stop your project dead in its tracks – costing you time and money.
The industrial industry is another to keep in mind. Residential contractors are familiar with metal framing but framing a 400-square-foot room is much different from a 40,000-square-foot clear-span metal building.
We can even go one step beyond the contractor, to the subcontractors that work on a project. A contractor usually has a list of companies they work with often and have developed great relationships with. Commercial subcontractors may not always do residential work and vice versa. This is especially important for trades like mechanical, electrical, and plumbing as they are required to have their own permits.
What Can I Check?
It truly comes down to experience. Reviewing a contractor’s website and portfolio offers you a snapshot of their skill and ability. A wide array of successful projects shows adaptability and expertise and lets you see what quality of work you can expect.
Your project will have its unique challenges, but an experienced contractor can save you time and money in the long run, even if they’re not the lowest bid.
Close Out
Choosing between a residential and licensed commercial general contractor can be an unclear dilemma. Price comparison to timelines, the bids on your commercial project will come in so many variations that it’s always a hard choice.
With careful attention to detail and some research, you can pick the commercial general contractor your project needs.