World Construction Symposium

How to Prepare for a Contracting Project in a Commercial Setting

28 October 2020 by Wallace Simmons

When you bring professionals in to handle contracting work in a commercial setting, the job calls for a lot of preparation. Here are four things you can do to make your retail contracting project go smoothly. 

1. Establish Your Standards

Many commercial projects have to meet very specific standards. If your operation is part of a franchise or chain, those are often brand standards established by a corporation. Even if you're the sole owner of the business, though, it's smart to think about what the standards will be. Consistency is important. If a retail contracting project calls for the use of a specific color scheme based on the brand, for example, you'll want to confirm that each of the colors used is the right one. That means you'll have to identify the particular codes for the colors and include them in your agreements before work commences.

2. Follow Relevant Regulations

All levels of government impose certain regulations. It's wise to know what the rules are for your industry. Contact your local compliance officer and determine what the rules are and how they're enforced. If the government requires reports, learn what they are and how to submit them.

Try to cover as many bases during your discussion as possible. For example, an office contracting effort for a business that will be open to the public will likely have to comply with accessibility standards for the location. Get them straight from an official. Also, make arrangements with an independent professional to inspect the space after the contracting work is done.

3. Be a Good Neighbor

The odds are fairly high that your business location is adjacent to at least one other property. Your planned work will cause annoyances and disruptions for those folks. If possible, try to loop them in on what will be happening. That's especially the case if the job might cross onto or near their property. One potential upside to being a good neighbor is that they may be more receptive if you need something from them. For example, you might be able to ask a neighbor for a temporary space to keep equipment and supplies.

4. Find A Place for Everything

Projects tend to require more space than just what the contractors are working on. Talk with the lead contractor and ask them how much space they'll need. You both can walk through the location and decide where you can store everything.

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