Hiring a Contractor Checklist

Hiring a contractor checklist - Headwaters Construction

Hiring a contractor checklist - Headwaters ConstructionHiring a Sacramento Contractor Checklist

One of the biggest decisions that you will have to make when you want to renovate your commercial premises or construct new ones has to do with hiring a commercial renovation contractor for the project. The decision to hire a contractor should come after you’ve narrowed down the scope of work. The task of selecting the most suitable contractor is a lot easier when you know what to look for. Headwaters Construction Inc. suggests following our Hiring a Contractor Checklist below.

Get Multiple Estimates

Contact multiple commercial contractors and ask at least three to give you written estimates. As you evaluate those estimates, be sure to compare apples to apples. For example, you may not get a clear picture of the competitiveness of different contractors if one is proposing to use tilt-up construction while the others are proposing different construction methods. Similarly, the materials used and the proposed timelines should be scrutinized before you make a decision.

Opt for Local Contractors If Possible

Commercial construction experts recommend that wherever possible, select a contractor from your locality. Local contractors come with several advantages. For example, such professionals have an intimate knowledge of the local building codes. Secondly, they are also easier to reach in case a problem arises during or after the project has been completed. However, ensure that those local contractors you shortlist are licensed in the expertise you need.

Review Their Previous Work

You are better off picking a contractor who has experience in executing the kind of project that you have in mind. For example, Headwaters Construction Inc. has decades of experience in undertaking tilt-up construction and other general contracting in Sacramento.

If you can, visit some of the completed and ongoing projects of the commercial builder you want to hire so that you get a firsthand experience of what the contractor can deliver. If this isn’t possible, ask people in your social circles for recommendations of contractors that delivered satisfactory work. Our friends at LMS Garage Doors, who offer garage door services near me, point out that a contactor’s portfolio says a lot about their quality of work. It should be easy to see what kind of work they’ve done in the past. 

Don’t Rush

Headwaters Construction Inc. recommends that you take your time when selecting your general contractor in Sacramento.

Tureks Plumbing, a home-remodeling company in Appleton, recommends that you read the bid documents carefully and be sure to understand the fine print before you make any decisions. Don’t succumb to pressure from a contractor to sign any documents at short notice. Otherwise, you may end up regretting when you unknowingly agree to contract terms that aren’t in line with your wishes or interests.

Scrutinize Their Insurance and Bonding

You should never hire a commercial builder if you haven’t examined their insurance and bonding documents. This scrutiny is important because those documents protect you from liability should anything go wrong during the execution of the commercial renovation or construction project. If you can, contact their insurer and confirm that the policy is still valid and that its coverage is what you have been told.

Put Everything in Writing

Experienced commercial and residential property owners know that it is a big risk to award a contract to construct or renovate a property when detailed project documents haven’t been drafted and signed. Don’t make the mistake of relying on verbal agreements. The contract documents should stipulate the following;

  • The scope of work and the agreed cost of each item on the scope of work.
  • The agreed project start and end dates, together with any applicable penalties.
  • The payment schedule. For example, you may have agreed to pay one-quarter of the project fee upfront and then stagger the remaining payment until the work has been completed.
  • Any guarantees agreed upon.
  • Signatures of both parties to the contract.

If you make any changes to the contract, put those changes in writing, and let the commercial builder sign those change orders.

Maintain a Project File

The project documents, such as the contract, invoices, specifications and receipts, can quickly pile up. Get a folder and keep all these documents in that folder so that you can access them easily. Your notes and observations should also go into this file.

Plan for Delays

Circumstances beyond your control may throw the project timelines out of whack. For example, unexpected inclement weather may prevent general contractors from progressing according to schedule. Anticipate delays and see how to adjust in order to accommodate them.

Don’t Pay in Advance

Avoid paying the entire contract cost in advance. Instead, spread out the payments with about one-third being deposited just before the project starts. It is also better to pay by check to a company rather than an individual.

The time and effort that you invest in identifying the best commercial builder for the job will pay off massively since you will not have any avoidable issues during the project and the outcome will meet or even surpass your expectations. If you are looking for a commercial general contractor that delivers what they promise, contact Headwaters Construction Inc. today!

The Post-Commercial Construction Process

the post commercial construction process - Headwaters Construction

the post commercial construction process - Headwaters ConstructionWhat to Expect Post-Commercial Construction Process

Just as there is a pre-construction phase for any construction project, there is a post-construction phase that all building owners need to be aware of. Headwaters Construction Inc., the best commercial builder in Sacramento, highlights this post-commercial construction process.

Future Expansion Plans

You’ll likely make some changes to your commercial building, whether that be now or in the future.

The post-construction phase, therefore, includes a component that caters for any future expansions that may be needed. This aspect is catered for as the building is being designed. For example, Headwaters Construction Inc. may recommend that sewer lines and other utilities be run on a different side of the building so that space for an extension can be left on another side of the planned building. In this way, you will have avoided the cost of moving established utility lines when the time to expand the building comes.

Final Building Manuals and Drawings

You will be given the final schematics and drawings showing where different mechanical systems are located. Sacramento construction contractors will also give you the manuals of the different systems used. That way you will be able to use them if needed. You can always contact the commercial construction company for specific details on the project.

Training and Follow-Up

The post-construction phase involves taking you through some training to ensure that you will be in a position to use the different features. This may include smart appliances, installed in the commercial building. Our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, a residential ac company in Placerville, recommends hiring a contractor or company that guarantees a follow-up. You wouldn’t want to pay someone to complete a project and then never see them again.

Furthermore, the commercial construction company is expected to conduct some form of follow-up to confirm that you haven’t run into any issues as you use the different systems in the newly constructed building.

Post-Occupancy Review

There may come a time when your business outgrows the space, and you need to move out. The commercial builder needs to develop a plan detailing how the building can be repurposed or re-commissioned to serve other users. For example, can that building be repurposed from its planned use as a restaurant to a retail store? 

Your building is likely to be used for different purposes. So, having a post-occupancy plan makes it easier for this transition.

Final Satisfaction Review

As you may know, the warranty on the different components of your building will run their course. So, you will have to look for other ways to address any issues that arise.

The purpose of this visit is to conduct tests on different systems in the building in order to assess how they are working. Commercial construction companies also typically ask building owners lots of questions during this visit to get their views about what impressions they have about the entire building. This feedback helps the contractor to execute future projects better. You also get a chance to share your concerns and have them addressed before the project is closed.

The builder will still be available to help you if you need them. However, you may have to hire them for any additional construction services.

Don’t be put off by all the requirements for careful planning before, during, and after the commercial construction project. All those phases are intended to protect you as a building owner. If you would like help in putting together a plan for an upcoming commercial construction project, contact Headwaters Construction Inc. Our experienced professionals will work with you from start to finish, and long after that.

The Basics of Tilt-Up Construction

basics of tilt-up construction - Headwaters Construction

basics of tilt-up construction - Headwaters ConstructionThe Basics of Tilt-Up Construction with Headwaters Construction

When you combine the strength of reinforced concrete with the efficiency and precision of design-build methods, you get cutting-edge tilt-up construction. This method is fast and economical. That may be why upwards of 650 million square feet of buildings are constructed using the tilt-up method. In this article, you’ll learn the basics that will help you to understand tilt-up construction.

How the Method Works

Tilt-up construction is characterized by a series of concrete panels that are tilted into position, forming the exterior walls of a building. The panels are made onsite using wooden or other forms, concrete, and rebar.

Headwaters Construction Inc., the best tilt construction company in Sacramento, explains that the final designs of the building help the contractor to shape the wooden forms and cut rebar into the appropriate sizes and shapes before concrete is poured into the forms. 

In a few days, the cured concrete forms are hoisted into place on foundation footings. The panels now form the exterior walls of the building. The tilt-up contractor temporarily braces each of these panels. The bracing is removed once the roof holds the entire structure together.

The two sides of the panels (the side facing inside the building and the side facing outside) can be modified or finished in any way you’d like.

For example, veneer can be placed on the exterior face of the tilt-up panels to give the building a unique character.

A History of Tilt-Up Construction

Contrary to what some people may think, tilt-up construction has been around for a long time. For example, commercial construction companies point out that the old-style barns were raised using the tilt-up method.

The tilt-up construction professionals point out that the big break for this method came at the end of World War 2 when there was such a huge labor shortage. So, construction methods, such as tilt-up, became very popular. From that time, tilt-up construction has grown immensely across the U.S.

How Tilt-Up Construction Compares to Other Options

Wood frame construction is labor-intensive, and this attribute makes tilt-up construction a viable alternative due to its limited labor requirement.

Steel beam construction techniques can be quite pricey. This makes them better suited to high rise projects where this cost can be justified. Tilt-up construction is a better alternative if the project isn’t a high rise construction project.

Constructing using prefabricated steel frames can also be economical. However, the design limitations of this technique make tilt-up construction the better option in some situations, according to leading general contracting companies in Sacramento.

Tilt-up construction may also be a viable method in situations where masonry construction is an option.

All in all, there is no single sector for which tilt-up construction is best suited. The method can be used for a diverse range of projects from large scale distribution centers to even churches! 

Key Assumptions Regarding Tilt-Up Construction

You may be interested in knowing how the cost of a square foot of a tilt-up building compares to the other options. However, our friends at Tureks Plumbing, a home-remodeling company in Appleton,  say that these comparisons wouldn’t be very helpful since every construction project has its own peculiarities that often affect the cost of that project. Instead, the commercial builders recommend that you keep the following assumptions in mind when considering tilt-up construction for your project:

First, you are likely to enjoy higher levels of cost-effectiveness the larger your project is. This is because economies of scale kick in for tilt-up construction as a building gets larger.

Secondly, tilt-up construction expedites projects because once the exterior walls are up, other trades, such as plumbing and electrical work.

Thirdly, tilt-up contractors also have a higher degree of control over a project. It is easy for them to access locally available materials and supplies. Compare this to other techniques that involve lengthy lead times and higher costs.

Headwaters Tilt-Up Construction

In short, tilt-up construction brings speed, cost savings, energy efficiency, and other benefits to construction projects. If you would like to know whether tilt-up construction can be an option for your upcoming project, contact Headwaters Construction Inc. and we will work with you to select the most appropriate method to use when constructing your new commercial building.

What to Consider Before Renovating Your Retail Business

What to Consider Before Renovating Your Retail Business - Headwaters Construction Inc

What to Consider Before Renovating Your Retail Business - Headwaters Construction IncThings to Consider Before Renovating Your Retail Business

As a property owner, it is your responsibility to keep your commercial buildings looking new for customers and potential renters. Whether that’s adding a new coat of paint or taking out a wall, simple modifications can make a big difference. Before you start any commercial renovation project, there are some things to consider. Headwaters Construction Inc., the best Sacramento commercial construction company, points out the key factors to keep in mind before renovating your retail business.

Your Reasons for the Renovation

Different retailers have different reasons for renovating, so first ask yourself why you want to renovate. Perhaps you want to expand the available space? Or you wish to rebrand the business? Do you want to modernize the property? Whatever your reasons, retail renovation contractors recommend that you develop a written plan that includes ideal timelines and details.

What Would You Like the Renovated Store to Look Like?

How do you envision your property to look? When consulting with a local commercial construction company, don’t be afraid to ask questions or share ideas. Our friends at Tureks Plumbing, a plumbing, and home-remodeling company in Appleton, recommend narrowing down the must-haves if you’re on a time-crunch. Establishing a complete design plan can take some time, so the sooner you have a general idea of what you want, the better. Regardless, Headwaters Construction Inc. can help. Our experienced construction team will give you their professional opinion and walk you through the construction process.

If you’re unsure about how you want to transform the space, our team can make recommendations. We also recommend that you ask employees, friends, family, or customers their opinion about potential design plans. These people, especially your employees, will give you practical suggestions since they are consistently in the space. This is also the time to work out any kinks so that we can finalize the renovation plan. 

How Do You Intend to Finance the Retail Renovation Project?

Once you decide on a scope of work, and receive several bids from potential renovation contractors, add up the likely costs that you expect to incur during the project. The experienced retail renovation experts at Headwaters Construction Inc. suggest that you add a cushion of approximately 15% to your budget in order to cover any contingencies that could arise during the project.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the additional cash available to do so. There are plenty of financial options out there.

For example, you could talk to your bank about a loan whose repayment is spread out over several years instead of using your credit card to finance the renovation (which would attract high-interest rates).

How Will Your Renovation Project Affect Your Business?

As you plan the renovation project, think about the different ways your business will be affected. For example, what benefits do you plan to reap once the renovation is completed? Ensure that your expectations are realistic so that the cost of the renovation can be justified.

Adding a dressing room to a new clothing section can be a good way to generate more sales, for example. However, doubling the space allocated to an existing section in the retail outlet may not necessarily double the sales that you have been making.

Now is also the time to consider any temporary drawbacks that could result during the renovation. For instance, will you need to close the entire place or some sections can remain operational during the renovation? If you plan to close during the renovation, think of ways to create a buzz around your newly renovated premises so that you attract lots of customer traffic as soon as you reopen.

Have You Considered Your Competition?

Aim to offer a fresh shopping experience to your customers so that you are steps ahead of your competition. When your commercial renovation contractor does an exceptional job during the renovation, clients and competitors get an unspoken message that you are confident about the future of your business, and that inspires trust in your customers.

If properly planned and executed, commercial retail renovation projects can boost your business and position you as a leader in your industry. We at Headwaters Construction Inc. are available to help you during every stage of the renovation, so contact Headwaters Construction today!