Is It Time to Find a New Commercial General Contractor?
- Robert Hakes Construction
- Aug 10
- 6 min read
Finding a commercial general contractor you trust is a big deal. Once you’ve worked with the same contractor for a while, there’s a lot of value in that relationship. They know your expectations, understand your properties, and already have a feel for how you like projects to be handled.
But sometimes, a relationship that worked well in the past just isn’t working as well anymore.
Maybe communication has become harder. Projects seem to be running behind more often. Costs keep coming up that you weren’t expecting. Or maybe you’ve realized your team is spending way too much time following up and trying to keep things moving.
One frustrating project doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to find a new contractor.
Construction is complicated, and even well-planned projects can run into challenges. But when the same issues keep happening, it may be worth taking a closer look.
Here are nine signs it might be time to consider another commercial general contractor.
1. Too Many Budget Surprises
Anyone who has worked in commercial construction knows that unexpected conditions can come up, especially when remodeling an existing building.
Once walls are opened or existing systems are exposed, you may find something that simply couldn’t have been seen beforehand.
But there’s a difference between a legitimate unforeseen condition and a project that seems to have one budget surprise after another.
Good preconstruction work can catch a lot before construction begins. Walking the space, reviewing plans carefully, coordinating with subcontractors, and asking the right questions upfront can help identify potential issues early.
And when something unexpected does come up, you should understand what happened, why it affects the cost, and what your options are before moving forward.
2. The Quality Isn’t Consistent
A finished commercial space shouldn’t just look good in photos. It needs to hold up to everyday use.
If you’re repeatedly finding unfinished details, growing punch lists, or workmanship that doesn’t meet expectations, that can become frustrating quickly. Your general contractor is responsible for coordinating the different trades and making sure the finished work meets the expectations of the project.
Quality control should be happening throughout construction, not just during the final walkthrough.
3. Your Projects Keep Running Behind
Delays happen in construction. Permits take longer than expected, materials get held up, unexpected conditions are discovered and plans sometimes change.
That’s all part of the business.
The concern is when delays happen repeatedly, especially when you don’t hear about them until they’ve already affected the schedule.
A good contractor should be looking ahead for potential problems and communicating with you before they become bigger issues. You may not be able to avoid every delay, but you shouldn’t constantly feel caught off guard by them.
4. You’re Always the One Asking for Updates
If you constantly find yourself emailing, calling, or checking in just to figure out what’s happening with your project, something is missing.
Your contractor should be helping manage the project, not creating another project for you to manage.
This is especially important for property managers and owners who already have plenty on their plates. You should have a good understanding of where the project stands, what’s happening next, and whether there are any decisions you need to make.
Good communication doesn’t have to mean an email every day. It simply means you shouldn’t be left wondering.
5. You Only Hear from Your Contractor When Something Goes Wrong
Nobody likes getting the phone call that starts with, “We have a problem.”
Problems happen. What matters is how they’re handled.
Good communication should happen throughout the project, not just when there’s bad news. You should know what has been completed, what’s coming up, and if there’s anything on the horizon that could affect your schedule or budget.
The earlier everyone knows about an issue, the more options there usually are to solve it.
6. Every Project Feels More Stressful Than It Should
Commercial construction will probably never be completely stress-free. There are simply too many moving pieces.
But it also shouldn’t feel like you’re putting out fires every week.
If every project feels unpredictable, communication is difficult, and you’re constantly wondering what problem is coming next, that’s worth paying attention to.
A good general contractor should take some of that stress off your plate. You should feel confident that someone is paying attention to the details, coordinating the work, and keeping you informed along the way.
7. The End of the Project Feels Messy
You’re almost done. Everyone is excited to wrap things up, open the doors, or turn the space over to the tenant.
This is also where details can easily get overlooked.
Punch-list items, final inspections, warranties, closeout documents, and those last few loose ends all still matter.
A good contractor doesn’t disappear when most of the construction is finished. The last part of the project deserves the same attention as the beginning.
The goal should be a clean handoff that leaves everyone feeling good about the finished space.
8. They Don’t Take Ownership When Problems Come Up
When something goes wrong, you want solutions, not excuses. Construction involves a lot of different people, and sometimes an issue really is outside of your contractor’s control. But even then, your general contractor should help figure out what happens next.
If every conversation turns into finger-pointing or explaining why something wasn’t their responsibility, it can make an already difficult situation even more frustrating.
A good contractor should be able to explain what happened, tell you what it means for the project, and put together a plan for moving forward.
You shouldn’t feel like you’re stuck in the middle trying to get everyone on the same page.
9. They Aren’t the Right Fit for Your Type of Project
Not every general contractor is the right contractor for every project, and that’s okay.
An occupied office remodel is different from building out a restaurant. A medical facility can have very different requirements than a retail space. Even a seemingly straightforward tenant improvement can require careful coordination when there’s a tight schedule or neighboring businesses that need to remain operational.
Experience with your type of project matters.
If it feels like your contractor is figuring things out as the project moves along, it may be worth finding someone with more experience in that type of commercial construction.
The right contractor should understand the challenges that may come with your project and have a plan for managing them from the beginning.
Sometimes It’s Okay to Make a Change
Switching general contractors doesn’t necessarily mean your previous contractor did a terrible job.
Sometimes businesses grow. Properties change. Projects become more complicated. Or you simply realize you need a contractor who communicates differently or is a better fit for the way your team works.
The important thing is finding a contractor you trust to be upfront with you, communicate clearly, and take ownership of the project.
Looking for a Commercial Contractor in Portland or Vancouver?
Robert Hakes Construction works with property managers, commercial property owners, business owners, and industry partners throughout the Portland Metro Area and Vancouver, Washington.
Our experience includes tenant improvements, office remodels, medical and healthcare facilities, restaurants, retail spaces, industrial and warehouse facilities, gyms, salons and spas, and other commercial renovations.
Whether you’re looking for a new commercial contractor or simply starting to plan your next project, we’d be happy to talk through what you need and see if we’re the right fit. Our goal is simple: communicate clearly, do quality work, and make the construction process easier on the people we’re working with.
Have a project coming up? Contact Robert Hakes Construction to tell us a little about it. We’d love to hear what you’re planning.
Related Resources
If you have another commercial project coming up, here are a few resources that can help as you start thinking through your plans:
Commercial Construction Services: Explore the different types of commercial projects Robert Hakes Construction works on, including tenant improvements, office remodels, restaurants, medical facilities, retail spaces, industrial projects, and more.
Tenant Improvements: Learn more about tenant improvements and some of the things to consider when preparing or updating a commercial space.
Office Remodels: Looking for inspiration? Exploring office layouts, finishes, and design ideas before your initial walkthrough can help you better communicate what you like, what isn’t working in your current space, and what you hope to accomplish with your remodel.
Medical & Healthcare Facilities: Medical and healthcare projects often require additional planning and coordination. Our guide explains why these spaces can be more complex and what owners should consider when planning a project.
Contact Robert Hakes Construction to tell us about your upcoming project.
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