Construction is a huge industry. There are a range of companies in Washington DC which would be extremely good ones to use if you are planning a residential or even a commercial project. Some of the companies in Washington DC are so dominant in their field that they are asked to travel distances in excess of 500 miles to complete certain projects. Of course, if you are looking for this type of company, one that is in extremely high demand, then you can expect a quality end product. Of course, high demand and little supply means that you will be paying a premium if you choose one of the above companies.
There are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration when looking to hire a construction company in Washington DC. With the bigger names in the industry, 90% of their work tends to stem from commercial projects. Whilst they are likely to be able to complete a residential project on an efficient and quality basis, they are probably not the best choice. Most of the companies who look for corporate clients will charge day rates per man that they supply rather than quoting a price for the overall job. This can make a corporate and commercial project extremely cheap for consumers but can make small residential projects extremely expensive.
Compare, contrast and do not be afraid to ask questions. If the builder quoting a project becomes uneasy with any question you feel is reasonable, then they are probably not up to the job. Materials are extremely important, as they represent strength and durability of a build, so quiz the builder in question on exactly what materials are used and why. Do a quick bit of research and check their quality against other materials. With this information in hand, get a couple of quotes. Don't just compare the price, but compare the materials as well. Is it just a case of cheaper materials, cheaper build?
Of course it could be that you want a cheap build and that is not a problem. If you feel that the quotes you are being provided with are slightly over budget, just have a quick talk with the builders. Explain that you are willing to sacrifice the quality of materials slightly in order to get the project completed within a certain time frame or budget. Although this is a feasible option, this is definitely not one that I would recommend. Sacrificing the quality of materials for the sake of saving a few dollars will mean a few things. It will mean the project doesn't look quality, won't last as long and definitely will not be as strong.
Don't just get to know the builders, but get to know their associates. It is likely they will have a crew of landscape gardeners, architects, carpenters and so on. This team may be part of the company or may be sub contracted in to complete the job. Whilst the quality is usually similar, getting a quote from a team that is all in house will usually be more expensive. This is because on days where the workmen/women don't have work, the company still has to pay them a wage. A builder sub contracting workers in for certain jobs will not have to pay staff for days when there isn't a job to complete.
Word of mouth is the best way to find quality products and services, and it is the same when looking for a builder in Washington DC. If a friend, family member or work colleague has suggested a builder they have used in the past, take a good note and get a quote from them.
A busy builder is usually a quality builder. If you get a quote and they suggest that the project can be started on straight away, don't discard them, but be wary. Most tradesmen will have a full diary if their work is quality and fair priced, so an empty diary tells you there is something that you have overlooked and there is some reason why others are not using them!
There are a few big names that are worth suggesting. Most of them are commercial only, but a couple specializes in residential developments as well, so they are definitely worth a look, just Google them.
About the Author:
This article is provided courtesy of Glass Construction, http://www.gcidc.com/ , a construction company in Washington DC. Member of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), National Trust for Historic Preservation, ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) and the BBB (Better Business Bureau).