A Contractor’s Guide to Hiring the Right Company

Hiring a commercial contractor to execute your vision starts with choosing the right company. We’ve come up with a list of our top five essential questions to ask before starting any project to ensure you have the right team on your side.

What is the scope of work?

The scope of work, also called a statement of work, is a portion of the contract that describes the work to be performed on a construction project. A well-written scope of work sets the expectations for both parties, including the responsibilities, milestones, and technical details required to complete the job. A good scope of work includes enough detail to ensure everyone on the project can stay on the same page. The scope of work might be the most important part of a construction agreement.

At J.C. Richards Construction Company, we start with the end in mind. Our team takes a holistic approach to the project to ensure you’re project is set up for the long term.

What is your reputation with past clients?

Reviewing a contractor’s referrals can help you choose the right contractor with a good reputation. Positive referrals can instill trust while giving insight into the contractor’s ability to meet timelines, stay on budget, and their overall professionalism.

Since 1996, J.C. Richards Construction Company has provided quality services throughout the Puget Sound. We have built a reputation based on integrity, honest communication, reliability, and proven success that continually earns repeat customers and referrals.

Who will supervise my project?

Most general contractors hire sub-contractors to execute the work. You’ll want to know who they partner with and who to expect on the job site at each stage.

J.C. Richards Construction Company has grown to support a tight-knit group of project managers, supervisors, support staff, and field teams. Our dedicated team believes through asking the right questions, attentive listening, and clear communication, we can identify obstacles and offer creative solutions for a shared vision. Through it all, we have stayed true to our core values and hired team members and sub-contractors with curious minds, solid character, a shared passion for good work, and treating people with respect. Their dedication and enthusiasm for each client’s vision and satisfaction have grown the company into the respected partners we are today.

How do you communicate with your clients?

Everyone has questions along the way. Find out what their plan is for keeping you current on project updates.

At J.C. Richards Construction Company, we partner with our clients as a team—sharing goals, facing challenges, and celebrating successes together. Our upfront and straightforward approach keeps everyone on the same page and moving in the same direction. We always come prepared, and we never leave you out of the loop. We’re there for our clients, on hand, on-call, and on task at all times.

What is the projected timeline for this project?

An experienced contractor will consider all aspects when estimating a deadline, including the suspicion of hidden damage or additional work behind existing walls or floors, material shortages, and unexpected problems that might arise.

J.C. Richards Construction Company is a full-service general contractor with years of experience in commercial construction, office, industrial, medical, envelope, mixed-use, and multi-family. Our efficient processes utilize the latest technology to ensure your project meets timelines and your budget.

How Do You Recognize a Safe Contractor?

A safety citation on your job site can attract bad press for your company and delay the project indefinitely. Contractors with excellent safety records tend to have cleaner, more efficient job sites that result in meeting timelines and budget. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries analyzes the safety records of all the similar contractors each year. Every contractor receives an EMR rating (Experience Modification Rate) based on the comparison of the contractions. A score of 1.0 is considered average. Companies with better-than-average ratings receive a lower score, while companies with poorer safety scores receive a rating of more than 1.0.

Safety is our primary concern at J.C. Richards Construction Company. Our team utilizes disciplined, safe working techniques and consistently implements our onsite safety program.

J.C. Richards Construction Company, Inc. is a full-service general contractor with 25 years of experience in commercial construction, office, industrial, medical, envelope, mixed-use, and multi-family. Our efficient processes utilize the latest technology to ensure your project meets timelines and your budget. For more information on how J.C. Richards Construction can offer creative solutions, visit jcrichards.com or give us a call at (253) 838-6206.