How a General Contractor Chooses Materials for a Buildout in Nassau County and Suffolk County, NY
A building is only as good as its design and the materials it’s built with. Have you ever wondered how a general contractor chooses materials for a buildout in Nassau County and Suffolk County, NY? Here’s what goes on behind the scenes of a successful commercial or residential buildout project.
Related: A General Contractor Suggests These Tips for Planning a Facility Upgrade in Brooklyn and Queens, NY
1. Choosing Materials Within the Budget
Cost-effectiveness is often a top priority for the client, and it’s typically the primary driver for choosing materials. Most manufacturers (across the board) will feature several pricing tiers from which the contractor can choose. A reputable general contractor will choose the best quality materials within the client’s pricing tier.
2. Choosing Materials Within the Design
Marrying function and aesthetics - while staying within the budget - is a challenge every designer and general contractor will face no matter the size and scope of the project. The end result must be aesthetically pleasing as well as practical: and materials choices are not always straightforward. When it comes to making compromises, a general contractor will offer expert advice and guidance to ensure a satisfactory buildout.
3. Choosing Materials That Complement Existing Structures
If the project involves a small addition or major expansion, then the general contractor will choose materials that match or complement the existing structure. This can be challenging if the original materials are no longer available. For example, if the building is more than a few decades old (such as a buildout of a 1920s industrial area) the challenge will be choosing materials that complement and embrace the uniqueness of the older materials while bringing the space into the modern age.
Why Trust a General Contractor to Choose and Purchase Materials?
There are some key benefits to letting a general contractor choose and purchase materials for a buildout.
1. Contractors get a discount. This typically evens out the extra cost incurred with having the contractor’s team choose and buy materials, but it’s still more cost-effective for the client than if the client chooses and purchases materials.
2. Contractors know quality. A reputable general contractor will buy the highest quality materials allowable within the budget. Ensuring the best materials will lead to a quality buildout, and less waste due to sub-par materials that need to be thrown out.
3. Contractors work closely with their suppliers. An experienced contractor will have several great sources so they’re never left without the materials they need. If there are delays, lack of availability, or other supply chain issues (which are prevalent today), the contractor and supplier can usually work out an acceptable solution that won’t put the budget and timeline in jeopardy.
4. Contractors know exactly how much to order. Choosing the right quantity is essential to keeping the project moving along within the budget. These quantities will be detailed in the initial proposal, to avoid surprise cost overruns.
5. Contractors know when to choose and order materials. An experienced general contractor will choose and order materials well before they’re needed, to minimize delays. This is particularly important now, with global supply chain delays and increased costs often throwing a monkey wrench into construction and renovation projects.
6. Having a trusted contractor choose materials will save time and energy. It takes time and effort to research the sometimes overwhelming choices in materials, and where and whether they are available.
Trusting the general contractor to choose the materials will often lead to a more cost-effective buildout that stays within the budget and timeline.