The Best Commercial Contractors in Charlotte, North Carolina

Starting a commercial construction project in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a big deal. Depending on the project’s size, design, and materials, costs can range from $150k to over $2M. These projects usually take up to 30 weeks to complete, but unexpected issues can often cause delays.

Charlotte, with its population of about 897,720 people and a median home value of $432K, boasts 162 contractors specializing in commercial projects, according to permit data from the local building department. Finding a reliable contractor is not just important; it’s crucial. The difference between a good and bad contractor can have significant implications, potentially costing you time, money, and stress. This underscores the necessity of conducting thorough research and due diligence in this area.

Construction costs have averaged around $140 per square foot in the past two years. So, choosing the best construction companies in Charlotte NC, is not just about getting the job done but also about ensuring it’s done right and avoiding common issues along the way.

Overview: The Best Commercial Contractors in Charlotte, North Carolina

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more. 

Balfour Beatty

1930 Camden Road, Ste. 280, Charlotte, NC 28203

Even with 112 years of existence, Balfour Beatty understands there is always uncertainty. The best solution yesterday might not be the same today. That is why, every day, the firm is on the hunt for better solutions for its projects. To do so, the company equips itself with the latest technology. The firm uses 3D modeling for designing, estimating costs, and preparing schedules. To foresee design, construction, and safety challenges, the team engages in a virtual reality experience. The firm uses reality capture technology such as laser scanners to get accurate information on the field.

With the right mindset and tools, Balfour Beatty is confident its projects will stand the test of time. A perfect example is the headquarters of Parker Poe, which was completed just last year. This three-floor improvement highlights private offices and collaboration spaces perfect for today’s ideal workplaces. This elegant and sophisticated upfit won the 2020 Excellence in Construction Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Carolinas Chapter. Aside from this recognition, Balfour Beatty was also featured in AP News as one of the best construction companies in Charlotte NC, for the education market sector. Construction companies in Charlotte NC for the education market sector.

Concorde Construction

8809 Lenox Pointe Drive, Suite B Charlotte, NC, 28273

Charlotte-based commercial contractor Concorde Construction is a full-service general contractor. It offers pre-construction, construction management, general contracting, design-build, and risk management services to numerous clients throughout the Southeast. It has produced successful projects that are low-cost but high in quality. The company has already worked on over 12 million square feet of projects worth $800 million.

The firm’s comprehensive expertise is evident in its excellent urban infill and mixed-use development projects. Take, for example, the Town of Ayrsley, which is featured below. Concorde Construction considers this mixed-use community its most comprehensive project to date; it is the most extensive master-planned development in the Charlotte Metro Region outside of downtown. The development comprises 15 buildings featuring class “A” office, flex, retail, hotel, and residential properties. This massive project’s principal development phase took over a decade, with future phases still in the planning stages. Concorde Construction was among the Charlotte commercial general contractors included in the ENR Southeast Top Contractors in 2018.

C4 Builders

121 West Trade Street, Suite 2550, Charlotte, NC 28202

The youngest firm on this list, C4 Builders, has the vibrancy and enthusiasm to take on great things. The firm handles various project ranges—from small renovations to multi-million dollar developments and stand-alone buildings to multi-tenant structures. However, the company’s measure of success is ultimately the satisfaction level of its clients. The firm’s numerous repeat clients, such as the Family Dollar brand, are attesting to this measure.

Licensed throughout the Southeast, C4 Builders aims to help regional businesses succeed in competitive market areas like Charlotte. The firm does so by thinking of creative ways to enhance the company’s value. Another way is to elevate a structure through great commercial interiors. With these strategies, the firm creates better employee workspaces and gives restaurant customers a better dining experience. Look at this gorgeous Via Roma restaurant upfit, pictured below.

Southside Constructors

11319-D Granite Street, Charlotte, NC 28273

Southside Constructors is behind the world’s largest giga coaster, the Carowinds Fury 325. This 325-foot-tall, spectacular ride is made of 2,700 tons of steel and reaches approximately 95 mph on a 6,602-foot track. The track itself required 153 concrete footings. In addition to this coaster, the company has completed other entertainment projects, including the Carowinds Dinosaur Alive and the York County Children’s Museum.

Another aspect of the Fury 325 project is that the ride expansion construction started during the summer season, which displayed the firm’s effective scheduling management. Southside Constructors’ goal is to delight commercial clients by working under budget and ahead of schedule. Known for its cost and time competence, the firm has worked on over 200 quality commercial projects in the entertainment, automotive, airports, and hospital sectors.

Edifice

4111 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28209

Edifice is one of the firms on this list with a wide range; it works in the education, industrial, medical, corporate, and entertainment sectors. The contractor has worked on massive structures for over four decades while keeping an eye on the smallest interior details. The company has produced 42 award-winning projects in the past 12 years. In 2019, Edifice received its third General Contractor of the Year award from the Metrolina Minority Contractors Association. 

One of Edifice’s award-winning works in Charlotte is the RailYard project. These eight-story towers span 334,000 square feet and feature Class-A office space with retail shops and restaurants on the ground level. The look of the structures is fascinating. The project has exposed steel, brick, and glass that exudes an industrial vibe. Consequently, this RailYard project received an Award of Merit from ABC Carolinas. In 2017, Edifice was among the Charlotte commercial general contractors who received an ABC STEP Diamond award.

Danforth Construction Group

2023 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205

Clients of Danforth Construction Group keep coming back for more. Ninety percent of the firm’s work is repeat business with regular clients, positioning it as one of the best construction companies in Charlotte, NC. Many retail clients—like the New York Butcher Shop—trust the firm with multiple locations because of its consistent performance. Local brands like Thrive also repeatedly return to Danforth.

Among the company’s clientele are widely known businesses such as Duke Energy and Subway. After all, Danforth Construction Group can offer the best of both worlds—it has the personal feel of a smaller company but also has the resources and capabilities of a larger one. In all the client testimonials for the firm, these are the main commendations: professionalism, timeliness, and cost-efficiency.

Danforth Construction Group has been serving North and South Carolina from two offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. It has provided construction services in general contracting and construction management. The firm specializes in commercial construction for offices, restaurants, interior renovations, retail, and healthcare.

Doerre Construction

2459 Wilkinson Boulevard, Suite 210 Charlotte, NC 28208

Doerre Construction revolves around the idea of a “Grand Opening.” The firm divides this idea into three phases: preparation, creation, and celebration. The preparation starts by understanding the project’s vision. With a grand proposal, creation involves reviewing the project goals and pooling team ideas. After the execution comes celebration: the firm prides itself on a successful project and checks to ensure all expectations are met.

Let’s take, for example, the “Grand Opening” of the Pump House Restaurant. This project involved transforming a decaying industrial pump house into a fine-dining restaurant. It was challenging for the firm to construct a steel framework around and through the structure to pave the way for new interior space. However, the company sailed through and transformed the structure into an elegant and scenic restaurant. OpenTable.com named The project among the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America in 2017 by OpenTable.com.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the commercial contractors in the Charlotte area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.