When it comes to commercial construction, the general contractor you hire can make or break your project. From budget and schedule to workmanship and communication, every detail is affected by the people you bring on board. That’s why asking the right questions upfront isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
Here at Riverstone, we believe strong relationships are the foundation of successful builds. That starts with open conversations and the confidence to ask questions that get to the heart of a contractor’s capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of what to ask and why it matters.
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
Whether you’re tackling a renovation, expansion, or ground-up build, clarity at the outset sets the tone for the entire commercial construction project. These early conversations aren’t just about checking boxes—they’re about building trust, aligning expectations, and ensuring your contractor has the experience and systems to manage projects effectively.
The Cost of Choosing the Wrong Contractor
Cut corners. Missed deadlines. Budget surprises. These are just a few of the risks you run when hiring a commercial contractor without a clear understanding of their qualifications. Commercial projects are complex, and even small missteps in planning or communication can snowball into costly setbacks. In the worst cases, clients find themselves navigating legal disputes or redoing work that wasn’t up to code—all of which could have been avoided with the right contractor from the start.
A Better Process Starts with Better Vetting
The hiring process is your opportunity to evaluate not just technical skills, but whether the contractor understands your business goals, priorities, and project scope. Asking thorough, targeted questions gives you a clearer picture of how they operate—and how they’ll handle challenges when they arise.
Under the Riverstone umbrella, we approach every commercial build with a proven track record of delivering complex construction projects with precision, open communication, and collaboration. From preconstruction through closeout, our experienced contractors are committed to clarity, craftsmanship, and care.
Key Questions to Ask During the Interview
The interview phase isn’t just a formality—it’s where you get a glimpse into how a prospective contractor works, solves problems, and collaborates with clients. These targeted questions are designed to help you make an informed decision before you commit to a commercial construction company.
1. Are You Fully Licensed and Insured for Commercial Work?
This may seem basic, but it’s one of the most critical questions to ask. A qualified contractor should carry the appropriate licenses for your locality and have general liability, workers’ compensation, and bonding coverage. Don’t just take their word for it—ask to see documentation, and verify that policies are active and up to date. Insurance protects you as much as it protects the contractor.
2. What Types of Commercial Projects Have You Completed Recently?
Experience matters, but relevant experience matters more. Ask for examples of previous projects that are similar in size, budget, or industry. Review photos, timelines, and outcomes, and ask about any challenges they encountered and how they overcame them. You’ll want to see how well they adapted to complex construction plans, permitting requirements, or tenant needs.
When Assured Partners needed a larger, more functional space to support their growing team, they trusted Riverstone to upfit a 12,000 SF office in Glen Allen, Virginia. The success of the project hinged on trust and alignment—starting with detailed conversations and a clear understanding of their goals. That’s why asking the right questions early matters. It’s how we turn vision into value.
3. Can I Speak with Previous Clients or Visit Past Projects?
Reputable commercial contractors should have no hesitation about providing references. Talking to past clients gives you valuable insight into how the contractor communicates, stays on schedule, and handles unexpected issues. Ask about responsiveness, follow-through, and whether the contractor met or exceeded expectations. If possible, visit a completed job site or current commercial space to see their work firsthand—it’s one of the most telling ways to judge quality.
4. Who Will Be Supervising Day-to-Day Operations?
The person selling you the job may not be the same person managing your construction site. Clarify who your main point of contact will be, how experienced they are, and how often they’ll be onsite. You’ll want to know if they’ll be actively overseeing subcontractors, maintaining building codes, and keeping the team aligned with the construction schedule.
5. How Will You Manage the Schedule and Address Potential Delays?
Delays happen. What matters is how they’re handled. Ask how the contractor develops realistic timelines, tracks milestones, and responds to setbacks like weather, permit issues, or supply chain disruptions. A contractor with strong project management skills will have a system in place—often with software—to monitor and adjust timelines proactively.
6. What’s Your Process for Maintaining Quality Control?
Consistency and attention to detail are essential for any commercial construction company. Ask what systems they have in place for quality assurance, inspecting work, ensuring compliance with building codes, and resolving punch list items. Are quality checks embedded into each phase? A reliable commercial contractor should be able to walk you through their quality control process.
7. How Are Payments Structured Throughout the Project?
Avoid surprises by reviewing the payment schedule in advance. Most commercial construction projects involve an initial deposit, milestone-based progress payments, and a final payment upon completion. Make sure the contractor explains how payments are tied to project milestones and what happens in case of change orders, delays, or disputes.
8. Will You Be Handling Permits and Inspections on My Behalf?
Navigating municipal codes and permitting requirements is a critical part of the construction process. A reputable commercial contractor will take full responsibility for permitting, inspections, and coordination with local authorities. Failing to manage this properly can disrupt your timeline and increase project costs.
9. How Will You Keep Me Informed as the Project Progresses?
Effective communication is the backbone of a smooth construction process. Ask about communication expectations—how often you’ll receive updates, in what format, and who to contact for questions. Riverstone’s project managers, for example, ensure clients are always on the same page through regular reporting and responsive communication.
10. What Makes Your Firm a Better Fit Than the Competition?
This open-ended question invites a contractor to highlight their strengths. Do they use innovative techniques? Do they specialize in certain project types? How do they build long-term relationships with property managers or businesses similar to yours? Look for answers that reflect experience, flexibility, and client-first thinking.
As a commercial general contractor trusted by clients like Assured Partners and Page Engineering, Riverstone understands what’s at stake. Our team was instrumental in transforming Page’s 10,000-square-foot Glen Allen office into a secure, high-performance space—complete with SCIF rooms, advanced IT systems, and refined custom finishes. We bring that same level of precision, planning, and partnership to every job site, backed by a strong safety record and a solution-oriented mindset.
Other Critical Considerations Before You Sign
Even the most qualified contractors can differ significantly in how they operate behind the scenes. Before finalizing any agreement, it’s worth exploring a few deeper questions to understand how your contractor handles key aspects of construction management and team coordination.
1. Who Are Your Subcontractors and How Are They Vetted?
Many contractors rely on subcontractors for specialty work. Ask how they select and manage subs, and whether they use the same trusted teams on large scale projects. Subcontractor reliability directly impacts the contractor’s performance, workflow, and final results.
2. What’s Your Safety Record and Protocol?
Safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting everyone involved. Ask for safety metrics, protocols, and training practices. A reputable commercial contractor should have a strong safety record, conduct regular audits, and follow standardized procedures that meet or exceed industry regulations.
3. How Do You Handle Disputes or Unexpected Changes?
Even the best-laid construction plans evolve. Ask about the contractor’s process for handling change orders, unexpected site conditions, or disputes. Do they provide documentation? Is there a chain of approval? A clear conflict resolution plan shows they’re prepared for the real-world challenges of commercial construction.
Build with Confidence—Start with the Right Questions
The success of your commercial construction project starts long before the first hammer swings. By asking the right questions, you gain insight into a contractor’s project management style, communication process, and ability to deliver results aligned with your goals.
At Riverstone, we welcome informed clients. We believe in building lasting relationships through transparency, strategic planning, and high-quality work. If you’re looking for a reliable commercial contractor who prioritizes partnership—and builds commercial spaces designed for long-term value—Riverstone is ready to start the conversation.