February 2022
How to Define Your "Best Fit" General Contractor
How do you find the best general contractor to lead your next construction project? Experience, service philosophy, availability, price, and “fit” are clear variables. When you find the right balance of these qualifications, you will find the contractor who can provide the best value for your project.
Experience and skill
How long has the contractor you are considering been in business? How many projects have they completed? How many projects like yours have they completed? The company’s longevity and financial stability will tell you a lot about their reliability and ability to provide great service.
Ask to meet the superintendent and project manager who will be running your job. Their experience is what matters most to your project.
That said, don’t overestimate the importance of industry experience. While certain industries have specific challenges, chances are that your issues are not as industry-specific as you may think. Question the contractor on their experience with specific issues you face. Contaminated soil? National brand standards? Expedited schedule? The contractor’s background in how they handle these challenges is what you really want to measure.
Service Philosophy
What are the general contractor’s core values? Do they resonate with you? What is their track record for completing projects on time and on budget? How do they handle change orders? How often do they provide project status updates? Do they seek ways to improve your project and add value? Are they first-class service providers? Will they do whatever it takes to get your project done right? Read reviews and ask for references from previous clients, and check for the service qualifications that are most important to YOU.
Availability
How important is your completion schedule? The further ahead you can plan the start of your project, the better your chances of securing the best contractor for the job. Spring through fall are the busiest time for construction; interviewing and selecting your general contractor during winter months can widen your selection pool and put your project at the front of the schedule.
Another note on availability: Ask your general contractor about their relationships with subcontractors. Those with strong industry relationships will have more success finding skilled and available subcontractors who can keep your project on schedule.
Price
If you select the contractor who provides the lowest bid, you will get what you pay for. You simply cannot get the best service, the best project oversight and the most efficient and experienced contractor for the lowest price. Be sure you understand the contractor’s philosophy and practices surrounding change orders! It also is not a guarantee that the highest bidder will provide everything you seek. Think about what is most important to you in any given project and prioritize those qualities. Then, find the contractor who meets your most critical needs within your budget. Chances are, your best fit will be priced somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Fit
Finally, after you prioritize and balance qualifications and budget, you need to ask yourself which contractor is the best fit for your project. Many times “fit” comes down to a combination of intangibles. Do you trust the contractor? Are they offering creative solutions? Do you like working with their team? Do they deliver on the qualifications that are most important to YOU and to YOUR PROJECT? Then that’s your best fit!
For more information on how Peter Schwabe, Inc. could be the "best fit" for your next construction project, contact Michael Gilbert at 262.317.6678 or mgilbert@pschwabe.com.
Project Profile: Racine Veterinary Hospital
In 2021, Racine Veterinary Hospital selected Peter Schwabe, Inc. to create a beautiful new facility to accommodate their growing practice.
The new 7113-square-foot building features:
- 11 exam rooms
- A private exam area for families during end-of-life experiences with their beloved pets
- Full dog and cat wards
- Full operating, dental and service areas
- A laboratory
- A call center
- A reception/waiting area with pet food supply display
The new building is wood-framed with LP siding and an asphalt-shingled roof, designed to complement the surrounding residential community.
MORE PHOTOS
Kicking off our 95th Year with a Corporate Retreat!
Happy 95th Anniversary to us! Our growing crew got together in January for our Annual Meeting at Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center in Wind Point, WI. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this location offered inspiration for collaborating on ideas and setting goals for the year to come. We all appreciated the chance to connect -- away from distractions -- and focus on each other, the company, and our future. Now THAT's something to celebrate!