Where can I find legit contractors?

[samantha_4i4]

I have bought an old building and I wish to renovate it so that it can be used for commercial offices. I am in the process of locating and hiring a contractor for the overall renovation work. Any suggestions where can I find a reputable contractors? Thanks in advance.

[pushkins]

Try "Angies List" if they are available in your area, they are a company sort of like Consumer Reports, they provide a place for people to leave feedback on contractors.

If you are after one contractor to oversee the renovation then you probably need a General Contractor, commercial renovations fall under a whole new set of guidelines over and above residential. For example the electrical requirements are very different and even more different if any of the offices are / could be used for "Patient Care" (doctors office, Dentists etc...etc...)
Other codes may be in force in your area like sprinkler systems. and of coarse parking is always an issue, a permit will only be issued for any number of commercial units as a direct relation to how many parking spots are available. So for an example if you have 5 commercial units you will be required to have at least 5 parking spots per unit + a handicap spot for each unit, and if the building is multi level there are a whole new set of codes and guidelines to work with.
I think your best place to start would be in the planning department of your local building department, you need to ascertain, just what they will allow you to do and how many units current code will allow you to have, what type of business they will allow ( as that will guide you on the fit out of the units). Then a set of working plans will need to be drawn. At that point a General Contractor will be able to give you a quote based on the building department guidelines and the approved plans.
You can be your own General Contractor (as the permit holder) BUT this then makes your totally responsible for any other contractors work.

I cannot stress enough the importance of taking the proper steps when it comes to commercial buildings and renovation work, otherwise it can become a very expensive exercise, inspectors look at commercial properties very different to residential.

[jemhal]

Re:Where can I find legit contractors?

How big is the building and where is it? I can’t really recommend anyone if I don’t know what type of project your going to undertake or where, but I would recommend going to jobtrio.com Profiles of Local Contractors and Home Improvement Specialists - jobtrio.com[/url] the site is a median that helps consumers find contractors, there are thousands of contractors listed on the site so you should be able to find the right contractor for your specific project.

[tudor]

I've had pretty good luck with contractors who belong to local Better Business Bureaus. It usually says something about them that they bother to join.

[vdotmatrix]

Yeah, man ANGIE"S list.
Okay it cost to join but then you have people who have paid soemthing to give an opinion and spout off about contractors.....I use them....and I used to it to shop around for a new HEAT PUMP and saved about $4000.

cheers