By Julian Deschamps, President · July 1, 2026
Choosing a general contractor is one of the highest-stakes decisions an owner makes — the right partner protects your budget and your reputation, the wrong one puts both at risk. The lowest bid is rarely the answer. Here's what actually matters, from a family company that has been building since 1987 and delivered over $2 billion in property construction.
Look at the Track Record — Specifically
Ask for projects like yours, not just an impressive portfolio. A contractor who excels at warehouses may be untested on healthcare. Ask what went wrong on a recent job and how they handled it — the honest answer tells you more than a highlight reel.
Take Safety Seriously
A contractor's safety record is a direct window into how they run their sites. A strong safety culture correlates with quality, schedule reliability and a well-managed operation. Ask for their record and how they enforce it day to day.
Confirm Financial Stability
Contractors fail mid-project more often than owners expect, and it's catastrophic when they do. Confirm they're properly licensed, bonded and insured, and that they're financially sound enough to carry your project to completion.
Judge How They Communicate
You'll live with this team for months. Are they transparent about cost? Do they answer straight questions with straight answers? Open-book reporting and clear, proactive communication are the difference between a stressful build and a smooth one.
Check References — and Ask the Hard Question
Call past clients and ask the one that matters most: "Would you hire them again?" Then listen to how they answer, not just what they say.
- Relevant, specific experience — not just a big portfolio
- A genuine safety culture, not just a policy
- Licensed, bonded, insured and financially sound
- Transparent, open-book communication
- References who would hire them again
Those are the standards we hold ourselves to on every project. Learn more about our team and story, or see how we deliver.