Tag: general contractor

4 Things All Chicago Commercial Contractors Should Know

Post author By Key Interiors
Post date June 28, 2023
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Commercial contractors specialize in building, renovating, and remodeling offices, retail buildings, schools, restaurants, and other business structures. In major cities like Chicago, it is essential that commercial contractors maintain a specific skillset in order to successfully complete projects and meet client expectations. From licensure requirements to knowledge about necessary financial documents, here are four things that every good Chicago commercial contractor should know.

Licensure Requirements, Zoning Regulations, Building Codes and Necessary Permits for the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago

While it might seem like state regulations would trump municipal ones, that’s not the case in construction. The State of Illinois, for instance, does not require contractors to have a professional license. The City of Chicago, however, does. Good Chicago commercial contractors know the licensure requirements for each municipality within the greater Chicago area so that they are always in compliance with local construction laws. They also are well-versed in the specific zoning regulations, construction codes and permits needed to work across all the various communities within the Chicago metropolitan area.

The Differences Among Quotes, Estimates, Bids and Contracts

The size and type of a construction project usually dictates how a Chicago commercial contractor solicits, bills and collects payment(s) for his or her services. A reputable Chicago commercial contractor will know how and when and, especially, what to submit to a potential client in order to safeguard all parties’ interests and assets.

How to Communicate

Good Chicago commercial contractors don’t just request and deliver the right type of paperwork, though; they know how to communicate effectively in other ways, as well. Most specifically, they are able to explain construction processes, materials and design options in ways that make sense to clients, laborers, vendors, suppliers and any others involved in the project at hand.

A Trusted Network Of Contacts

Finally, the best Chicago commercial contractors know a lot of different people. Having a multitude of connections in the industry enables them to find and partner with other trusted resources throughout a project’s duration, elevating the quality of the work being completed and helping to maximize the project’s schedule and budget. The more people they know, the more likely it is that they will have the help they need when they need it!

The Key Interiors Advantage

Our team here at Key Interiors has developed a unique system for moving clients easily through the commercial construction process. Whether reimagining or remodeling an existing office or fitting out a whole new commercial space, we assist our clients with everything from initial design choices to diligently working through the subsequent phases of actual construction as an experienced Chicago commercial contractor. Our guidance ensures that projects are completed to the highest standard and within a reliable timeframe. To learn more about our turn-key services, please contact us today.

Tags commercial office, general contractor, office design, office remodel

Office Design office redesign Office Renovation

What is a General Contractor and What Services Do They Provide?

Post author By Key Interiors
Post date April 26, 2023
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General contractors play a very important role in the construction industry. Not only do they manage all aspects of a building or remodeling project, but they also provide valuable insight to their clients and offer them financial protection against any liabilities (should they occur). Take a closer look to understand just what is a general contractor:

What is a General Contractor?

A general contractor is a licensed professional who oversees the process of building or remodeling residential and commercial properties. In addition to new builds and interior fit-outs, general contractors manage site improvements, remodels, and renovations, providing services that allow their clients to maximize budgets and capitalize on a myriad of skills and expertise.

What Services Do General Contractors Provide?

General contractors facilitate the completion of many or all of the aspects of a construction project. Their goal is to keep their worksites safe while maintaining the highest standards for the projects they complete. Typical general contractor services include:

Budget Estimation and Billing — After meeting with clients and developing a better understanding of a project’s scope, a general contractor will provide an estimate for the project’s projected cost. He or she will take into consideration the price of labor; materials; tools and equipment; permits; inspections; taxes; and more, allowing clients to better anticipate the fiscal requirements of the project at hand. For the duration of the project, general contractors will also ensure that subcontractors are paid in a timely manner and clients have access to accurate financial statements.

Subcontractor Scheduling — One of the most important aspects of a general contractor’s job is to schedule all the subcontractors needed for a project. Union regulations frequently mean tradesmen can only work in one field, necessitating several different teams of tradesmen be hired to complete a single project. General contractors make sure that all the people needed to perform the various tasks of a construction project (such as plumbers, electricians, roofers, drywall installers, painters, etc.) are on site when needed. This keeps the project running smoothly, saving time and money.

Permit and Inspection Requests — Many building projects require permits or official approvals from the local government that allows construction to progress on a property. It’s a general contractor’s responsibility to apply for and secure any necessary building permits and arrange all subsequent city inspections in order to ensure all construction is up to code and, thus, remains valued at its maximum.

Materials Procurement — Of course, all construction projects require materials. General contractors work with clients, subcontractors, and vendors to supply all the tools, materials, and other equipment needed for work to commence onsite. Supplies, such as lumber, drywall, steel, concrete, dumpsters, and much more, come from a variety of sources. General contractors locate, purchase and arrange delivery, sparing their clients the hassle. One of the things that separates Key Interiors from our competition is our ability to control cost and lead times by purchasing most of our materials direct rather than through our subcontractors. We also differentiate ourselves by offering office furniture through our network of over 400 furniture manufacturing partners and rep firms.

The Key Interiors Advantage

So, what is a general contractor? It’s a firm that fills an important role in the execution of quality interior and exterior construction projects. Our in-house team of design and construction professionals at Key Interiors offers a wide range of turnkey construction services that make new builds, renovations, or any other type of commercial or industrial renovation project a lot easier and a lot less stressful. In many instances, we also help our clients save money too. To learn more about the advantages of using Key Interiors for your own construction project, please contact us today.

Tags general contractor

Office Design Office Renovation

Why You Should Choose a Turnkey Contractor for Your Project

Post author By Key Interiors
Post date December 12, 2022
No Comments on Why You Should Choose a Turnkey Contractor for Your Project

Commercial office renovations, especially if they are design/build, involve a variety of complex components that must be managed. The process of making and sticking to a budget, hiring the right subcontractors and maintaining a realistic deadline and schedule is often complicated and always time-consuming. Here’s why you should hire a turnkey contractor for your next project instead of trying to tackle things on your own:

To Save Time

A turnkey contractor designs, builds and manages a construction project. Hiring one means property owners don’t have to waste time researching, interviewing and hiring architects, individual construction tradesmen or sub contractors, project managers, site supervisors, furniture and material vendors and more. Instead, they can work with one firm to coordinate and execute everything.

To Save Money

As people say, “time is money,” and because hiring a turnkey contractor saves you time, it definitely saves you money. Hiring a dedicated partner to manage all your project’s moving parts helps streamline communication and proactively identify and solve potential problems before they lead to costly delays. It is vitally important for your project to remain on schedule, especially if any delay could cause interruption to production or paying exorbitant rent prices to occupy multiple buildings during an office move. In most instances, a turnkey contractor has relationships with other building professionals that allow them to negotiate better prices for materials and services than you would working by yourself.

Improved Quality

Expertise breeds excellence. A turnkey contractor has experience that improves the quality of your overall project. Because one person (or firm) is acting as the turnkey contractor for your project, the various stages of your renovation or new build will be held to and judged by the same standards. The result: a consistent, high caliber of work.

Less Stress

Of course, one of the biggest reasons to choose a turnkey contractor is to reduce the amount of stress associated with renovations and new builds. Construction of any type often inspires anxiety and tension for property owners. Being displaced from your normal setting and worrying about projected costs, coupled with a lack of privacy and security, can leave you worried about how everything will sort itself out. Indeed, lack of control is generally cited as the number one cause of anxiety and depression for all people. Passing control to a turnkey contractor allows property owners, specifically, to quit worrying about the small details of a project, thus reducing their stress!

The Key Interiors Advantage

A turnkey contractor is a valuable asset for businesses wanting to get the most out of their next renovation or new office build. At Key Interiors, our team of in-house design and construction experts has decades of experience executing full-turnkey design/build/furnish projects for industrial and commercial clients of all sizes. Our ability to provide office furniture in addition to full-scale design and construction services sets us apart from most other general construction firms. To learn more about using Key Interiors as a turnkey contractor for your next project, please contact us today.

Tags general contractor, office construction, office renovation

office construction Office Design Office Renovation

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Chicago General Contractor

Post author By Anina Bidmead
Post date October 20, 2022
No Comments on Things to Consider When Choosing Your Chicago General Contractor

Finding the right general contractor is perhaps the single most important part of an office renovation. Unfortunately, it can also be the hardest. According to Zippia.com, there are more than 36,000 general contractors in the United States. That’s a lot of possible contractors to consider. And even when you focus on a single location or state, there are frequently still thousands of options. For instance, there are more than 6,000 general contractors in the Chicago area alone! With so many choices, how do you find a general contractor that is experienced, reliable and available that is also able to ensure your project stays on schedule and within budget? Here’s what you need to consider, whether choosing a Chicago general contractor or one in your own city or state:

Service Area

Have you ever picked up the phone to order take-out only to discover the meal you want can’t be delivered in your area? It’s a bummer, right? Save yourself the disappointment by searching only for contractors working in your specific area. Big cities like Chicago often have a website where you can find information about local businesses and professionals, including contractors. You could also try narrowing your search using other databases and media sources, such as BBB or Yelp. Limiting your initial search to your general area will save you time and frustration.

Licensure and Insurance

General contractors may or may not be required to have a license based on the state and/or city in which they work. The State of Illinois, for example, doesn’t require general contractors to have a license. Nevertheless, the City of Chicago does. Thus, any general contractor working in Chicago must be registered and licensed appropriately according to the type of project at hand:

Class A – Unlimited contract amount
Class B – up to $10,000,000
Class C – up to $5,000,000
Class D – up to $2,000,000
Class E – up to $500,000

Check state regulations, as well as the rules in individual municipalities and cities, to verify if any special licensure is needed in your area. (You can check individual contractors in Illinois here.) If licensure is required, ask for proof that any potential contractor does, indeed, possess it. While you’re at it, ask about insurance, as well! You don’t want to find someone you think is perfect for a job only to discover later on that his or her business isn’t operating legally.

Qualifications

Typically, the more experience, the better. Once you have a relevant pool of Chicago general contractors, look for the ones who have been in business for several years (at a minimum) and have a sizable portfolio, as well as a lot of references. You want to make sure the Chicago general contractor you hire has the qualifications and expertise to actually bring your vision to life. Past clients who can speak about their own experiences with a contractor can help you determine the reliability, customer service and quality of that contractor’s work.

Bids

Seek bids from multiple Chicago general contractors before making a final decision. Review each contractor’s demeanor to see if your communication styles, personalities, timelines and priorities match one another. Sometimes a more expensive bid is worth it if everything just clicks! Other times, an exorbitant bid might indicate something fishy.

Contract

Finally, get a contract. Don’t rely on a handshake or goodwill. A renovation or construction project is a major undertaking. Protect yourself by securing a legally-binding agreement with a Chicago general contractor that specifies (among other things):

Address of Project
Anticipated Start and Finish Dates of the Project
Proposed Construction Schedule
Cost and Payment Schedule
Responsibility for the Acquisition of Permits
Termination Rights
Other General Terms and Conditions

Want to Learn More?

Hiring a general contractor is an important step in any construction project. To maximize your chances for success, you might wish to partner with an experienced design-build firm. Key Interiors has been in business for over 40 years and has been a reliable Chicago general contractor for all types of commercial construction projects. Please contact us to learn more.

Tags design-build, general contractor, office construction, office design

The Key Interiors Advantage

What is a General Contractor?

What Services Do General Contractors Provide?

The Key Interiors Advantage

To Save Time

To Save Money

Improved Quality

Less Stress

The Key Interiors Advantage

Service Area

Licensure and Insurance

Qualifications

Bids

Contract

Want to Learn More?

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