7 Things You Should Do Before Hiring an Office Renovation Contractor
Did you know that an office is regarded as the mainspring of a watch? Whether in the government sector or the private sector, this one room is an integral unit of an organization where administrative and clerical functions occur. And just like that, an office is what keeps an organization running.
That is why major problems occur when an office is no longer functional. If an office does not boost productivity anymore or is too outdated to build up your brand image, this calls for an intricate office renovation—the type that benefits you more than the current office set-up you have.
But before anything else, it is best to keep in mind that office renovation is not as simple as it seems. It has to be treated like one of your big projects on which your business highly relies. On top of that, looking for the best office renovation contractor is a process you should take time with. In other words, hiring a contractor, in general, should take more than just one phone call.
Even though many contractors are out there, only a few of them could deliver your renovation requirements. But do not fret because we got you all covered!
Turn to Shelf N Store to rectify your shelving and office renovation problems. With 12-years of experience in Singapore office renovation, we have worked with many satisfied clients. And only time will tell before we transform your office into a new and improved workplace.
In case you work with us or other contractors, here is a list that consists of the things you should do before hiring an office renovation contractor. It aims to help you evaluate contractors and better understand what to consider before working with them. Let us take a look!
1. Ask Around and Get Recommendations
To get started, ask for recommendations from colleagues, family members, and friends. They are the closest you get to ask questions. Tell them you are up for an office renovation and looking for an ideal contractor to work with. The better if they have worked on projects similar to yours.
One more option you have is to go online. The easiest way to find products and services is through Google. Try to look this up—office renovation contractor near me. Check the results and go in-depth with the reviews. It is also a subtle way to check any contractor’s reputation.
Or talk with a building inspector, who knows which contractors habitually meet building code requirements. You can even go as far as visiting local lumberyards because they often interact with contractors. Thus, they know which ones buy quality materials and pay their dues on schedule.
2. Take Time to Do Phone Interviews
When you reach out to a contractor, have your questions ready for an interview. Do not quickly settle after asking around and hearing people’s suggestions. Go out of your way and give these contractors a call. Make a list to keep them on track. Ask the following questions to narrow down your list to a few:
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you have managers and solid and competent subcontractors?
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
- Do you guarantee and provide warranties for your work?
- Were your last three projects delivered on time?
- Can you provide references for a business similar to mine?
- What does your schedule look like at the moment?
3. Always Meet with the Contractor First
After narrowing down your list, it is time to deliberate on which ones to keep in touch with. Hiring multiple general contractors to work on an office renovation is not a practical move because extra workforces will only cost you more. However, general contractors may hire subcontractors to help them if there is a need.
Things could get a bit tricky from here. But make decisions based on your interviews. And what choice do you have other than being nit-picky because you only want the best for your office?
After this has been sorted out, make it a habit to meet and discuss with the remaining contractors what sets them apart from their competitors, how long will the build-out process take, and how soon they can get the project started, among other things.
4. Do Your Research to Prove Claims
You cannot take anybody’s word for anything that directly affects your business. If there are two things you should trust, these are facts and figures. After days or weeks of talking with the potential contractors, spend a moment to do your research. It will help you confirm everything these contractors have claimed is true.
Calling former clients to find out how a contractor’s project went and ask to see the finished work is one way to testify confessions. As much as you want to get this over with, do not rely on results alone. It is essential to visit a current job site and see how these contractors work, too.
5. Step Up Plans and Get Bids
Now that you have a shortlist of contractors on hand who have clean track records and responsible work ethics, it is about time to start looking forward to your renovation project. The last thing you want to happen is to conclude with unsolicited results. Avoid this situation through a conscientious blueprint that presents a complete set of plans and allows you to achieve what you want.
Ask each contractor to break down the cost of materials, labor, profit, equipment, margins, and other expenses to compare bids. Be mindful that 40% of the total cost has to account for the materials, while the remaining budget covers the rest—overhead and typical profit margin.
6. Set a Payment Schedule
Working out a payment schedule ahead of time is another important tip for hiring a contractor. You might not know it, but payment schedules say a lot about a contractor’s financial status. It is alarming if they want half of the bid right away because it may signify that a contractor is having a hard time with its financial resources.
Usually, the payment schedule starts with 10% of the total cost at the signing of the contract. Then three even payments of 25% over the entire project timeline. And you can pay the remaining 15% when you feel that everything on the blueprint is wholly delivered.
7. Put Agreements into Words
When you have come this far, prepare to draft a contract. It should draw up detailed terms and conditions. Also, include every step of the project, payment schedule, proof of liability insurance, workers’ payments, the project’s start and completion, specific materials and products to be used, lien releases, and every requirement necessary for the renovation project. Remember that insisting to come up with a complete contract does not entail mistrust. Instead, it ensures a successful office renovation project.
Wrapping It All Up!
In hiring an office renovation contractor, do not let price becomes the deal-breaker. Technical competence is one thing. But comfort should also play a vital role in making decisions. And even in this type of undertaking, how you communicate with the contractor is a significant factor to look out for. It is better to spend extra than to hire someone you are not comfortable working with.
For office renovation projects, you will never go wrong with Shelf N Store. Call us today and learn more about our products and services!
