If you have a construction project planned for your property, you’ll need a good contractor to get the job done. This is true whether the project is taking place at your home or business, although there are several key differences between the contractors required for a commercial versus a residential job. So if you need to have construction done on your home, for example, you’ll definitely want a residential contractor.
Why do you need a contractor who specializes in residential or commercial jobs, though? Aren’t all construction jobs more or less the same? Below are a few of the differences between a commercial and a residential contractor.
The Budget
Commercial construction is usually a massive undertaking, performed on a grand scale and taking place very quickly. When a business hires contractors for a project, they are often required to get it done on a very short timeline—the business will want it done quickly so they can start earning money off the project—and they will utilize heavy-duty, industrial materials. A business may also want to remain active during the construction, while it may not be viable for you to stay in your residence during a project.
All of this, of course, factors into the costs involved. Chances are that your home remodel will not need to make use of industrial steel or be done in the space of a weekend. It will also not have to work around an active business. Because of these facts, a commercial construction project will be priced differently than a residential one.
The Law
Of course, the laws governing businesses are not the same as those governing residences. Whenever you hire any contractor for any project, you must always make sure the staff is up-to-date on the latest laws and practices governing their work. There will be multiple permits involved, as well as insurance, building codes, and more.
When you hire a commercial contractor, you will need a completely different set of permits and to follow a completely different set of laws than if you hire a residential contractor. Failing to take this into consideration can lead to a legal headache for you.
The Materials Used
As we’ve mentioned, the scale of a commercial project is usually going to be on another level from that of a residential project. It’s unlikely your residential contractor will need to worry about massive cranes or bulldozers, for example. It will, however, have to take other factors into consideration. Plumbing and energy hookups will potentially be more complex in a home than they would be in a business.
In addition, the lighting in a commercial building isn’t in any way similar to that of a house. Contractors need to take this into consideration. Businesses are also legally required to have a fire suppression system of some kind, usually sprinklers. Commercial construction contractors will need to be familiar with the materials and installation for these sorts of systems.
The Construction Equipment
Because commercial and residential projects are usually not similar in the type of work being done, the equipment involved will differ as well. This is a fact you must take into consideration when hiring a residential contractor. What equipment do they have access to? Are they certified and up-to-date with the use of it all? The differences in necessary equipment are a big reason commercial and residential construction is not interchangeable.
Even the largest houses rarely require massive cranes in their construction. Commercial buildings, however, routinely do. On the flip side of this, industrial buildings rarely retain the services of highly skilled finish carpenters. But many homeowners require these services and all the equipment that goes along with performing them, various specialized saws and sanders, and so on.
How the Contractors Are Found
If you are hiring a residential contractor, you’ll probably do it by conducting internet searches, reading online reviews on sites such as Yelp or Google, and checking references that the business offers.
Commercial projects, on the other hand, tend to be a bit more complex when it comes to securing contractors: major businesses often don’t locate their contractors through internet searches. Instead, projects are bid on by construction companies. The winning bidder is then awarded the contract and can begin working on the project.
Note that this isn’t always the case. Mid-level projects, such as those in retail stores, restaurants, and offices, will require specialized contractors of their own. They are often secured through companies like Robert Hakes Construction. These contractors specialize in working in phases so that a business can remain active: tenants can stay on-site while the construction is taking place. Securing the services of a company like Robert Hakes is usually as simple as a phone call or email to their consultants.
The Expectations of the People Involved
As you may expect, a person requiring a project at their home will have different expectations than a firm requiring major commercial projects. While both individual homeowners and major corporations can be very particular in their needs, the way these needs are executed is often not the same. For example, commercial projects are usually very strictly standardized, having to meet not only corporate standards, but legal and zoning ones as well. Commercial contractors become very good at matching a particular plan. On the other hand, residential contractors become experts at understanding just what it is a homeowner requires for a job, while keeping the legalities in mind.
Where this can be a real challenge is for companies such as Robert Hakes Construction, who can often be hired to do work for a beloved small business. A small business, such as a family-owned restaurant, will come with all the emotional attachments that a home does, while also having to conform to all the zoning and safety laws a larger business does.
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