Comparing bids is a major aspect of choosing your commercial contractor. However, numbers don’t tell you everything you need to know. Have they completed a project similar to this one before? Does their process fit how you want to work? Do they have the systems in place to execute everything they promise?
As a commercial construction company with over 75 years of experience building in Central Minnesota, we at W. Gohman are here to help you understand how to choose a commercial contractor. This article walks you through exactly what to evaluate so you can find the right fit for your project.
Table of Contents
- What Experience Should a Commercial Contractor Have for Your Project Type?
- How Can You Evaluate a Contractor’s Planning and Project Management Process?
- What Additional Capabilities Contribute to a Successful Commercial Construction Project?
- Partner With W Gohman for Your Next Project
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Experience Should a Commercial Contractor Have for Your Project Type?
If you want to know how to choose a commercial contractor, start with experience. Different project types carry different requirements. Commercial, industrial, and institutional projects each have their own permitting processes, building codes, material specifications, and coordination requirements. A contractor who regularly works across all three has identified the variables that catch others off guard and has already developed solutions for them.
Here are some questions worth asking when evaluating a contractor’s experience:
- Have you completed projects similar to mine?
- Can you provide relevant project examples?
- Do you understand the unique needs of my industry?
- Have you successfully managed projects of similar size and scope?
How Can You Evaluate a Contractor’s Planning and Project Management Process?
Understanding how a contractor plans and manages a project is just as important as evaluating their past work. A capable contractor will jump in during the preconstruction process to assist with developing a budget, build out a preliminary schedule, and identify potential risks before they become real problems. Being involved with you—the owner—and the architect will support a more predictable outcome.
Once construction begins, a contractor with strong field and project management staff will coordinate daily site activity, maintain accountability from subcontractors, and ensure your budget and schedule are on track through every phase.
It’s also worth understanding which project delivery method a contractor offers, and whether it fits your project. At W. Gohman, for example, we offer Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) and Construction Management as Agent (CMAA). You choose the level of control and risk allocation that best aligns with your goals.
Here are some signs of a strong project management process:
- Detailed preconstruction planning.
- Clear communication channels.
- Budget development and cost analysis.
- Schedule management.
- Collaborative project delivery.
What Additional Capabilities Contribute to a Successful Commercial Construction Project?
How a contractor approaches design, cost, and collaboration often determines whether your project comes in on time, on budget, and aligned with your vision. Owners who know how to evaluate commercial contractors focus closely on how design and construction are structured from the very beginning.
There are several project delivery methods available, and the right approach depends on your project’s needs, timeline, and desired level of involvement.
- Traditional Design Build: The owner hires an architect or design firm to complete the plans, then selects a contractor to build the project. While this approach is common, it can sometimes create communication gaps between the design and construction teams.
- Construction Management: A construction manager becomes involved early in the process, providing budgeting, scheduling, constructability reviews, and coordination throughout design and construction. This collaborative approach helps identify potential challenges before construction begins and keeps the project aligned with budget and schedule goals.
Value engineering is another capability worth asking about. It’s the process of analyzing materials, systems, and methods to find alternatives that meet your functional and quality requirements at a lower cost without cutting corners. A contractor who practices value engineering helps you make informed tradeoffs rather than finding out after the fact that a different approach could have saved you money.
When evaluating a contractor’s full capabilities, look for:
- Construction management services: Early project involvement, collaboration with the design team, and proactive planning throughout the project lifecycle.
- General contracting expertise: Experienced oversight of subcontractors, schedules, quality control, and site operations.
- Cost analysis and budgeting: Ongoing budget development and cost transparency from preconstruction through completion.
- Value engineering: Strategic recommendations that maximize value without compromising quality, performance, or project goals.
- Design team coordination: Effective communication and collaboration between owners, architects, engineers, and construction teams to keep projects moving efficiently.
Partner With W. Gohman for Your Next Project
Knowing how to choose a commercial contractor comes down to asking the right questions and knowing what to look for in the answers. The right contractor will bring relevant project experience, a structured preconstruction process, strong project management from start to finish, and integrated capabilities that support better decisions at every phase.
W. Gohman has been around for over 75 years. We have the experience, delivery methods, and collaborative approach to handle projects of real complexity. Learn more about our commercial construction services in Central Minnesota.