West Chester is home to several experienced commercial builders serving the region, including:
- Hazley Commercial Construction
- Pine Street Construction
- Pancoast & Clifford
- Construction Services Group
- DLI Commercial
- Shields Construction Company
How to Choose a Commercial General Contractor
A successful commercial construction project requires having the right team for the job. Finding a great commercial building contractor can ensure high-quality, efficient work through all phases of the project, from design to construction management to final inspections.
While it sounds simple on paper, many businesses struggle to find a top-tier contractor for their commercial projects.
In this post, I’ll walk through the steps involved in hiring a great commercial building contractor. That starts with identifying the project’s goals and needs in order to determine the type of contractors to consider, including design-build firms. I’ll also describe different ways to find and evaluate contractors during the proposal process.
Whether you’re in our region—West Chester, Pennsylvania—or anywhere else, I hope this post moves you one step closer to finding the best commercial contractors in your area.
What Is Commercial Construction?
Commercial construction is the backbone of the business world, encompassing the building, renovation, and demolition of structures designed for commercial use—such as office buildings, retail centers, hotels, and restaurants. This sector is a major driver of the economy, with the construction industry generating significant annual revenue and providing jobs across the country.
Establishing the Goals of Your Commercial Construction Project
Before trying to find a commercial contractor, it’s important to define the goals of your new construction initiative. You should be thinking about the key details of your project that you can share with contractors to get the most relevant bids and proposals.
Some questions to consider in this process include:
- What type of building do you need and for what type of business? Retail stores have very different needs than warehouses, offices, or industrial facilities. Healthcare facilities and educational facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and universities, also have unique requirements that should be considered. Based on your use case, start making a “need-to-have” and a “want-to-have” list.
- Where is the project site? If you don’t already have a site identified, you’ll need to budget extra time for this step. For any site, make sure that you have checked all zoning or other regulatory issues that could affect renovations or new construction on that site. A commercial building contractor near you may be able to help you with this process.
- What’s the status of the project site? Determine whether you will be remodeling an existing building or constructing a new one entirely. Also, make a note of whether any demolition or remediation efforts will be required.
- What is your timeline? Think realistically about when you are hoping to have the project done, which can allow you to work backward to set milestones for each phase.
- What is your budget? Again, be realistic with your budget and keep in mind that you’ll need to have some set-asides for contingencies.
After going through these individual items, you should reflect on the big picture—what does success look like for the project as a whole?
Identifying the Commercial Construction Services You Need
After you’ve identified your goals and objectives, you’ll have a better sense of what the job entails. Depending on the nature of your project, you may need different services, such as:
- Site identification, evaluation, and acquisition
- Pre-construction planning, including refining the project’s goals and scope
- Design and architectural planning
- Budgeting and value engineering
- Permitting (whether city, county, and/or state permits)
- Site preparation
- Construction management and project management, which involves things like procuring materials, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, organizing subcontractors, and maintaining regular communication with all relevant parties
- General contracting
- Finishing touches, including interior design that corresponds with the intended use of the commercial site
- Final inspections for building safety and code compliance
Some commercial contractors and construction companies offer comprehensive services covering all aspects of the project, while others specialize in a particular service. Knowing what is most relevant to your project can help inform your decision about what type of contractor or construction company to hire.
Design-Build Services for Commercial Construction
Design-build firms handle both the design and construction of a project under one roof. This unified approach simplifies communication, improves efficiency, and keeps projects on schedule and within budget.
With a design-build company, you’ll collaborate directly with the firm’s design team—often including both designers and architects—to establish project requirements and refine plans. Because the design and construction teams work together from the start, ideas are evaluated for feasibility, cost, and constructability in real time.
Many firms use advanced tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and integrated project management software to enhance coordination and prevent costly missteps.
By contrast, the traditional model—hiring a separate designer and general contractor—can introduce delays and inefficiencies as plans are passed between multiple parties. The design-build model eliminates that friction, streamlining the process from concept through completion.
Green Building Practices in Commercial Construction
Sustainable building practices are reshaping the commercial construction industry. More companies are prioritizing energy efficiency, resource conservation, and long-term performance to reduce environmental impact and operating costs.
Modern commercial projects increasingly incorporate renewable energy sources, efficient mechanical systems, and low-impact materials to meet higher sustainability standards. Many firms now use green building certifications and energy modeling tools to guide design and construction decisions, resulting in healthier, more efficient spaces for occupants.
As the demand for sustainable solutions continues to grow, forward-thinking contractors are helping businesses meet environmental goals while improving building performance and reducing lifetime costs.
Construction Industry Trends in West Chester
West Chester and the greater Chester County area are seeing steady growth in commercial development. In 2021, the county completed 36 new nonresidential projects totaling more than 1.1 million square feet, much of it for institutional and commercial use. That same year marked a 20-year high in new housing, driven largely by apartment construction.
More recently, Chester County recorded nearly $2 billion in new capital investment in 2023, adding hundreds of new jobs across the region. In downtown West Chester, the Business Improvement District continues to enhance public spaces and support local businesses through façade and streetscape projects.
Together, these efforts reflect a region that’s thriving and reinvesting in its future.
Benefits of Hiring Local Contractors
Working with a local contractor offers major advantages for any commercial construction project. Local firms understand the area’s permitting processes, zoning requirements, and building codes, which helps avoid delays and keep projects moving smoothly.
They also have established relationships with nearby suppliers, trade partners, and inspectors—connections that can make a big difference in scheduling and quality control. Because local companies rely on their reputation within the community, they’re more invested in delivering dependable service and lasting results.
Choosing a West Chester–based contractor, such as Hazley Commercial Construction, means you’re partnering with a team that knows the local market and is committed to the region’s long-term growth.
Finding Reputable Commercial Construction Companies
My top recommendation for finding a great commercial construction company is to ask for referrals from people in your network. Check with friends and industry contacts to get the names of any firms that they have had a good experience working with. Frankly, you should also take note if there’s a contractor they had a bad experience with since that can help you know who to avoid. Additionally, the West Chester Chamber of Commerce may provide a list of local businesses that could be helpful in your search.
If you can’t get any word-of-mouth referrals, search online for companies that handle commercial construction projects. Use platforms like Google, Houzz, and local business directories to find contractors in the West Chester area. When searching, consider looking for established construction groups, the biggest construction companies, and construction giants with a strong track record in the construction business. Look for information about their experience as well as their reviews and ratings from previous clients. Look to see if their portfolio includes projects that are similar to yours or other projects that demonstrate thoughtful and high-quality work. I suggest that you take notes during this process so you have a reference point for any questions or concerns you encountered when researching different companies.
After you’ve compiled a list, reach out to multiple contractors and construction companies for more information or to request a bid.
Evaluating Commercial Construction Companies
Any time you get a bid or have a chance to meet with a contractor, it’s an opportunity to get a fresh data point to help you decide whether they would be a good construction partner for your project.
I suggest looking for certain core characteristics in any service provider you’re considering:
- Experience and expertise: Find out if they have handled commercial construction jobs before. Ideally, they have worked on projects that have a comparable scope to what you need. Their portfolio should include photos and details of their past work.
- References from clients: They should be able to give you details about past customers who can vouch for their track record.
- Relevant service offerings: Check to see if they can provide all of the commercial construction services that you’re looking for, including things like design and project management.
- Communication style: At their core, the best contractors are also experienced project managers. They know how to communicate well with clients, subcontractors, and all the other people involved in the project. When meeting with a contractor, consider whether they listen well and take the time to truly understand your needs. If you have ongoing contact with them, see if they follow up as promised.
- Local knowledge: A contractor should be familiar with the regional market and local building codes so that they aren’t surprised or delayed by variations between municipal, county, or state requirements.
- Paperwork in order: Verify that the contractor holds all necessary licenses and has adequate insurance, including commercial general liability and workers’ compensation.
- Safety record: Ask for information about their safety record and any other quality control procedures that demonstrate careful and competent job-site management.
- Scheduling and availability: Make sure to get a sense of when they can start, and try to determine if they overbook their schedule, which can prevent the project from being completed on time.
Getting Started with Your Commercial Construction Project
IIf you’re in West Chester, Pennsylvania, or the surrounding area, our commercial construction firm would welcome the opportunity to learn more about how we can help develop your next project. Contractors who are involved in the local community often have a deeper understanding of the area and a commitment to quality work, which can be a significant advantage for your project.
We’ve been working in this community for decades and take pride in our deep knowledge of the local market. We serve diverse industries and have the expertise to handle all types of projects.
Whether your future project is a renovation or brand-new construction, we invite you to contact us to schedule a call or an appointment. You can also visit our website to learn about our team and our commercial construction services in greater detail.
