A: Yes, you need an architect and — ideally — a designer to get started. The first step is to hire an architect who can put your ideas and visions in a blueprint. Your contractor will need specific blueprints and engineering to be able to give you a bid. If you don't have an architect yet, let us know and we can refer you to reputable architects in the area. You will also need professional blueprints to submit to the building department for approval. A designer will be able to make sure all the finishes coincide with the overall feel you envision for your project. They help choose your finishes such as tile, plumbing and electrical fixtures and paint. It’s helpful to have a designer, as it lets the contractor know exactly what should be installed. Your contractor can be a great resource for working on idea and design feasibility with your architect and designer.

A: A general contractor is responsible for organizing, overseeing and managing all aspects of your commercial building project. General contracting requires expert knowledge of building codes, permitting and inspection requirements, and how to communicate with and control an entire network of individual contractors on a daily basis. Silver Contracting is here to inspect the work as it’s completed, answer all your questions, and resolve issues to keep your project moving. Our most important role is to be your primary contact throughout the entirety of your commercial building project.

A: Every construction project is different in size and complexity. Most tenant improvement projects require 2 – 3 weeks to assemble comprehensive pricing. Ground-up projects may take 4 – 8 weeks, and larger projects with more complex electrical and mechanical systems or other site difficulties could take 6 months. It all depends on how complete and accurate of information you provide to us. The more complete and accurate information we receive, the more complete and accurate information we can return.

A: Yes, you need an architect and — ideally — a designer to get started. The first step is to hire an architect who can put your ideas and visions in a blueprint. Your contractor will need specific blueprints and engineering to be able to give you a bid. If you don't have an architect yet, let us know and we can refer you to reputable architects in the area. You will also need professional blueprints to submit to the building department for approval. A designer will be able to make sure all the finishes coincide with the overall feel you envision for your project. They help choose your finishes such as tile, plumbing and electrical fixtures and paint. It’s helpful to have a designer, as it lets the contractor know exactly what should be installed. Your contractor can be a great resource for working on idea and design feasibility with your architect and designer.

A: Yes, all the work on your project will be facilitated by subcontractors who specialize in a specific area. All of our subcontractors have been in the business for decades, and are experts in their respective fields. They’re up to date on the ever-changing building, energy and land use codes of Boulder County. All of our subcontractors also carry both liability and workers compensation insurance specific to their trade. They are all licensed through the municipality you reside in.

A: You will be assigned a Project Manager and/or a Job Supervisor to oversee your entire job. Start to Finish. Your Project Manager is responsible for:

• Scheduling the project
• Working with you to order materials based on lead times so they are available when needed for installation
• Billing

Your Job Supervisor will handle:

• Being on-site everyday make sure the project progresses smoothly
• Answer all subcontractor questions and ensure the subcontractors are working to achieve the overall design as well as adhering to local building codes
• Meet with inspectors
• Handle all zoning variance issues, permits, inspections and licenses
• Job site clean up
• Progress meeting with the owners
• Liaison between the client and the architect, engineers, subcontractors and building officials

A: All payables will go through the contractor’s company. You’ll be assigned a project manager and/or a job supervisor to your project. One of the duties of the project manager or the job supervisor is to keep track of all billing and payables for your job.

A: All municipalities are different. After you submit your blueprints and engineering, you can generally expect on average about 4 weeks to get a permit.

A: You will typically be billed every 2 weeks. Billing is based on work completed.

A: Architecture, engineering, and construction are all very different disciplines — and all of these roles are needed to complete an entire project. Architects are trained to design spaces that are logical and efficient. This is where you get your vision down on paper. An architect will also convey information to engineering. Engineers are specialists who design the building’s power, water and air systems to ensure that the building will perform optimally for years to come. And construction workers are the boots on the ground, building your vision into reality.

A: We are well versed and experienced in all aspects of retail spaces, religious facilities, restaurants and office environments. Please feel free to contact-us for referrals from past clients and project photos.

A: Preconstruction – We work with the owner and design team to discuss and review your commercial building design as it progresses.

• We help “troubleshoot” the budget and construction while it’s on paper.
• We also address issues before construction, where they can end up creating costly delays.
• We provide this service for a nominal fee, with the understanding that we’ll be allowed to bid on the project.
• If we are ultimately awarded the project, we’ll refund the pre-construction price.

Estimating

• Based on the Construction Standards Institute construction divisions, our estimates will provide you with complete and comprehensive information that’s easy to compare without becoming cumbersome or confusing.

Construction

• We control costs, maintain the schedule, and monitor quality and safety every day.
• Our own skilled forces will complete the carpentry work from rough framing to installing cabinets, doors and accessories.
• Because no one firm can be the best at every facet of your project, Silver Contracting maintains a large stable of local, licensed and professional subcontractors to complete what they’re best at.

Construction Management

• Silver Contracting is on-site throughout your project to ensure that the many individual tasks are completed fully, correctly and safely.
• We will keep you informed of progress, schedule and costs on a regular basis at intervals that work with your schedule.
• Billing is provided on a monthly basis, using industry standard AIA forms so you always know where the budget stands.
• Change orders are actually managed and not just forwarded to you.
• Silver Contracting takes the time to review any issues, confirm that is indeed a change to the scope, and then ensures that the additional work is being completed in the most efficient way possible.
• Change orders requested by the owner are treated in the same manner.

A: To choose the best contractor for your project, we recommend you contact several different firms and discuss your project. From those discussions, narrow it down to a few that you feel best about and ask two or three of them to provide pricing. Plan on spending a significant amount of time comparing the bids to each other. Did they each include everything required? Who seemed to have the best understanding of your project? Be aware; a low bid is rarely the best bid!

A: Contract selection is influenced by how well the scope is defined. Different contracts and delivery methods distribute risk between the contractor and the owner. Essentially, it comes down to how much preparation have you put into the project before you ask for pricing. There are 3 general types of contracts: Cost Reimbursable plus fee: If you want to sketch out something on a napkin and describe us your vision, you bear the most risk because total cost is unknown. Time and Material plus fee: If the plans are poorly done or too basic, we can’t provide the most accurate pricing. This is usually used for short term, small dollar amount projects. This is an equal split of risk, but final cost would be unknown. Fixed Price: Also known as lump sum and firm fixed price, this is the most common form of contract. In this form, one price is agreed upon for all of the work shown on the plans. This is appropriate when the owner can completely describe the work through plans and written specifications. Items that were not shown and items that are changed after the plans would be an additional cost.