How To Find A General Contractor For Your Next Hotel Project
A reliable general contractor is one of the most important factors for any hotel renovation. You’ll need someone you can trust to bring your vision to life while retaining the character of the existing building. Finding the right general contractor for your project can be tricky – here’s what to keep in mind as you search for the best fit.
Portfolio
When evaluating potential contractors, one of the biggest things to consider is their portfolio of past projects. This is one of the easiest ways to determine whether a contractor is a good fit for the project you need to complete. When reviewing portfolios, consider whether the contractor’s experience aligns with your needs. For example, you may need a contractor who has experience with a certain type of material or experience with sustainable projects. You’ll be able to figure this out quickly just from reviewing their portfolio.
Established Business
In addition to the specific projects they have worked on, you’ll also want to consider your contractor’s general experience level. How long have they been in business and what kinds of clientele have they worked with? For a project as big as a hotel renovation, a contractor with plenty of experience can give you the peace of mind you need. You may also want to look at reviews of the contractor from past clients. While every project is different, this can still give you an idea of what to expect moving forward.
Safety
As with any construction project, there are some risks involved when completing a renovation. Your contractor should take safety seriously while on the job. Before starting, you’ll need to make sure that your contractor has the required license and insurance for your state. You can ask for these things directly from the contractor, but you can also verify them yourself using online databases. Additionally, you can check the contractor’s OSHA record through their online database, which will inform you of previous complaints or even accidents. Finally, ask your contractor for references from previous projects to confirm that they operate in a safe and ethical way.
Subcontracting
Most major hotel projects involve subcontractors in addition to your general contractor. When reviewing potential contractors, be sure to ask about the subcontractors that they work with and research them as well. The subcontractors involved should be just as skilled and trustworthy as the general contractor.
Budget
Even if you’ve found the greatest contractor in the world, you could hit a dead-end if you aren’t in alignment with the project budget. Have a frank discussion about this upfront to avoid conflict later on.
Communication
Because hotel renovations are such an in-depth project, you’ll need to stay in consistent communication with your contractor throughout the entire process. Pay attention to the way your contractor communicates throughout the interview process. The ideal contractor is someone who will be responsive and informative throughout the entire process.
Ready to start your next hotel renovation? New Horizon Construction Services can help. We are a licensed general contractor specializing in renovations in the Florida area. Give us a call at 407-574-2164 to learn more.