Want your commercial construction project to become a budget-busting nightmare? Just follow these five easy missteps—and if you’d rather avoid disaster, read on to learn what not to do…
What not to do when hiring a general contractor
By: Jeff Pistone, MBA, Preconstruction Manager, Fox Cities Builders | January 23, 2025
Commercial construction projects are high-stakes endeavors—every choice you make can bring you closer to a thriving, on-schedule development or leave you buried under cost overruns and faulty workmanship. As a Preconstuction Manager with deep roots in the commercial space, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to pick the wrong partner when you’re rushing or distracted by too-good-to-be-true promises. In this article, we’ll take a tongue-in-cheek look at five key missteps that almost guarantee a disastrous contractor choice. By highlighting these red flags, you’ll know how to avoid them and instead select a professional who values quality, communicates clearly, and delivers results you can count on. If you’re a business owner or decision-maker looking for a hassle-free commercial construction experience, this is your roadmap—use it wisely!
Step 1: Prioritize Speed Over Quality
In commercial projects, the timeline is often crucial, but focusing solely on speed can lead you astray. To choose the wrong contractor, select someone who promises to finish the project in record time without discussing the quality of work or the resources required. A contractor who skips quality control in favor of speed is likely to leave you with a subpar building and numerous costly repairs down the line.
Step 2: Avoid Detailed Planning and Budgeting
A proper commercial project requires meticulous planning and a detailed budget. To ensure you pick the wrong contractor, go with someone who provides a vague plan and a loose estimate. This lack of specificity is a red flag that the contractor may not fully understand the project scope or might be hiding additional costs. Avoid contractors who are transparent and thorough in their planning and budgeting processes, as they are less likely to cause you trouble.
Step 3: Ignore Past Commercial Experience
Commercial projects have different requirements compared to residential ones. Choosing a contractor without relevant commercial experience is a great way to invite problems. Make sure to ignore their portfolio and past projects; go ahead and hire someone whose experience is limited to small home renovations. This will almost guarantee they are unprepared for the scale and complexity of commercial construction.
Step 4: Disregard Communication and Project Management Skills
Effective communication and project management are essential in commercial projects, which often involve multiple stakeholders and complex logistics. To choose the wrong contractor, select someone who lacks these skills. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and a chaotic work environment. A contractor with weak project management abilities will struggle to keep the project on track, resulting in missed deadlines and increased costs.
Step 5: Overlook Industry Standards and Compliance
Commercial construction projects must adhere to strict industry standards and regulations. To ensure you hire the wrong contractor, overlook their knowledge of these standards and their compliance record. A contractor who is unaware of or disregards regulations will expose you to legal liabilities and potentially unsafe construction practices. Opting for a contractor who fails to prioritize safety and compliance is a recipe for disaster.
In conclusion, choosing the wrong general contractor for a commercial project involves ignoring quality, detailed planning, past experience, communication skills, and industry compliance. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure a smooth and successful construction process.
Contact the Commercial Team at Fox Cities Builders to avoid these mistakes and discuss your next commercial construction project – experience the best and choose the right contractor for your project!
