Building the Dream Team: How We Select and Empower Trade Partners for Project Success

commercial retail building under construction in nashville tennessee

The success of any commercial construction project hinges on a variety of factors — all of which are supported by the relational dynamics and collaboration of the team. At Crain Construction, we consider ourselves fortunate to have built strong relationships with some of the best trade partners in the business, many of whom we’ve collaborated with for decades. Their dedication to quality, expertise, and teamwork is key to our success. 

Crafting Success from Foundation to Finish Line

Developing a successful construction project is a lot like building a winning football program. The developer is the owner of the team, the general contractor is the coach/GM, and the subcontractors are the players. Just like the team owner needs to have confidence in the coach to assemble a talented team and create a winning strategy, project owners need to feel confident that their chosen general contractor can find the right trade partners to bring their vision to life.

Here’s a real-world example: Crain Construction has completed three projects for Chartwell Hospitality, including the BNA Hilton. During our initial project together, the Hilton Hotel in Franklin, Chartwell was impressed with the professionalism, quality control, and expertise of Charter Construction, our concrete structure trade partner. This strong relationship wasn’t just key to a successful project; it also laid the foundation for our long-term partnership with Chartwell.

How We Select and Set Up Trade Partners for Project Success

Choosing the right trade partners isn’t a decision we take lightly. It’s a crucial step that significantly impacts the overall success of a project. Here are several key principles that guide our selection process:

1. Shared Values, Shared Success

We prioritize selecting reputable trade partners whose values mirror our own: a commitment to quality, doing the right thing, clear communication, and a focus on client satisfaction. By partnering with companies who share our values, we establish a foundation of trust. This means our clients and other trade partners have peace of mind because they know they’re working alongside good people who are committed to quality and collaboration.

2. Setting the Stage for Success

We firmly believe that supporting our trade partners is integral to project success. By providing clear expectations, detailed project scopes, and open lines of communication from the outset, we empower our partners to perform at their best. Understanding their capabilities and ensuring they have the resources they need sets a solid foundation for seamless project execution.

3. Teamwork Makes the Dream (Come to Life)

One of the most important qualities we look for in our trade partners is the ability to be a team player. We value their insights and expertise. Just like a football team, it’s important that everyone is working together to make progress towards a shared goal. In order to ensure this forward momentum, we encourage open communication, collaboration on problem-solving, and a willingness to share resources. It’s this kind of teamwork that ensures the touchdown: project success.

The Crain Difference: Building Strong Relationships

At Crain Construction, we want our clients to experience the “Crain difference” at every stage of the project. This includes fostering a collaborative environment on the job site where subcontractors are treated as valuable partners working towards a common goal.

If you’re looking for a general contractor who understands the importance of selecting and empowering trade partners, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re interested in getting an inside look at our unique approach or want to discuss questions to maximize the success of your next project, you can contact our team today. Let’s build something remarkable together!

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