You should work with a retail construction company if you are planning to renovate your franchise, retail space, mobile phone fix-it shop and so on. You should know what to consider before you hire a contractor for your project.

Make or break

Not every contractor can deliver on time and budget – but every contractor will tell you they will. Every project comes with deadlines, variables, special materials and unpredictable elements. The right contractor will break or make your project. Walk through their recent projects and check their references to learn more about the contractor and what their complete projects feel like.

A lot of big brands have a regular contractor that will call upon from time to time when they have a project. Others may need to find a new contractor. Project managers, key decision makers, and franchise owners may seek advice from a friend when choosing the right contractor. But you should ask the questions below to ensure that your contractor will deliver quality work.

What are some of the past projects you have done in our sector?

General contractors that work with major brands don’t grow on trees. They tend to be specialised contractors that attract employees and keep them because of certain knowledge and skills. They also have trustworthy subcontractors that are capable of delivering high-quality work.

Retail construction can be challenging. You can ask contacts if they liked the job of a local contractor before considering the contractor. This may carry a lot of weight. It will then come down to the real experience. Does the contractor have the capacity to run the project? Do the contractors understand national and local requirements impacting your business? Can they describe experiences that prove they know how to build a retail store?

How do you track that your projects are done on budget and on time?

It is very easy to say that your company delivers on time and on budget. Saying is very much easier than doing.

You may not consider the delays in getting permits, delays in materials, and the delays caused by sub-contractors as part of the equation. All these delays add up for customers trying to open a new location.

General contractors for large companies rarely hide behind the delays of permits or materials. Big brands run smoothly because they have employed experienced managers. They find contractors that agree with their definitions of on-time, quality and on-budget.

How do you measure success?

A good retail construction company should know how to measure success. Make sure the contractor you choose has a scorecard. The best contractor tracks how they are doing. You should find out how they score themselves and how they stay objective when they claim they do their work on time and on budget. Ask open-ended questions to learn the management style and culture of the contractor.