The Best Commercial Contractors in Washington, District of Columbia

Embarking on a commercial construction project in Washington, DC, requires careful planning and the right team to bring your vision to life. Finding a reputable contractor for your commercial project in Washington, DC, is crucial due to the city’s unique regulations, historic preservation requirements, and diverse architectural landscape. A skilled contractor familiar with these intricacies can navigate the permitting process efficiently, maintain the project’s historical integrity, and deliver high-quality workmanship, ensuring compliance and a successful project outcome. Selecting a reliable contractor is crucial, with the average commercial project ranging from $150,000 to $1 million and high-end projects reaching up to $1.95 million or more. These projects span up to 54 weeks, and unforeseen challenges are common, making partnering with a skilled contractor essential.

Washington, DC, has a population of 671,803 and a median home value of $625,000, reflecting the city’s robust real estate market. Over the past two years, the average cost of a construction project has been $149.34 per square foot, underscoring the need for budget-conscious and detail-oriented contractors who can deliver excellent results within financial constraints.

Finding the right commercial general contractors in DC can significantly affect the success of your project. Your contractor’s expertise and reliability can affect your project’s timeline, cost, and overall quality. In this article, we will explore some of the best commercial contractors in the area to help you make an informed decision and ensure that your construction project is completed to the highest standards. 

Overview: The Best Commercial Contractors in Washington, District of Columbia

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

Potomac Construction

9320 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814

Dedicated to providing top-quality construction and guidance for their clients for over 15 years, Potomac Construction has become one of the leading general contracting firms. Over the years, property owners, architects, investors, and other stakeholders have trusted Potomac’s services from site selection and pre-planning until turnover. This led to a large portfolio containing unique commercial projects such as restaurants, hotels, retail and groceries, gyms, healthcare spaces, banks, and high-value interior renovations. Potomac Construction was awarded the ENR MidAtlantic 2019 Best Project – Award of Merit in Office/Retail Mixed-Use Developments, establishing a reputation as one of the best commercial general contractors in DC.

The success of Potomac lies in the value of collaboration. This collaborative process includes working closely with the clients and other stakeholders, yielding the most satisfying experience for everyone. One of the best experiences clients often get with Potomac is their project’s quick turnaround and cost-effectiveness. A recent example is the kitchen makeover of The Inn at Little Washington, finished in only eight days. The close-out team is another attractive feature of their services, acting as a point of contact for any concerns so clients are included in the entire process until the end.

WCS Construction, LLC

1100 New Jersey Ave. SE Suite 700, Washington, DC 20003

Regarded as the fifth most active contractor in Washington, DC, WCS Construction is committed to bringing its award-winning services to various commercial construction projects. Its commitment and integrity resulted in over 100 successful projects in the district, including office buildings, podiums, high-rise residential, elderly shelters, multi-family communities, retail, and historic renovations, among many others. Being in the business for 19 years, WCS is a Certified Business Enterprise in DC and has proven to be a reputable firm in the industry, resulting in an extensive network of partners, including local subcontractors.

WCS works with its clients and consultants every step of the process, from planning, budgeting, and value engineering to closeout. This approach ensures that the project is achieved on time and beyond customer expectations. Its outstanding record lies in experience-based management practices and strategic planning that avoids unanticipated pitfalls, satisfying clients for long-term relationships. Through these strategies and hard work, WCS earned multiple awards since 2010, with the ABC Metro of Washington Award of Excellence being the most recent.

Vantage Construction Corporation

20130 Lakeview Center Plaza Suite 420, Ashburn, VA 20147

Teamwork is Vantage Construction Corporation’s main approach for delivering superior quality commercial construction projects. This approach means working closely with all the key players—the clients, design team, and subcontractors—to guarantee these results. Coupled with its expertise and the latest technology, cost and time efficiency is achieved from project conception to completion.

This company has served the Washington, D.C. construction market and its nearby states for the past 16 years, from tenant fit-out projects to complex commercial buildings. The company specializes in low-rise offices, build-to-suit institutional centers, distribution centers, retail, repositioning, tenant interiors, and specialty construction. One of its notable projects is the Rockwell Collins building in Sterling, Virginia. The work with this aerospace and defense company won the 2011 NAIOP Northern Virginia Award of Merit to recognize its significant contribution to the built environment. Aside from this, Vantage also takes pride as a Corporate Citizen by providing charitable support, leadership, and volunteering to various organizations such as Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing and The Builders Foundation.

Plaza Construction

1250 I St. NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005

Plaza Construction is one of the country’s foremost general contracting and construction management firms. Over the years, the firm has gained versatility and national presence. In addition to its headquarters, it is present in six other states.

Its core portfolio includes award-winning projects across various industries—commercial, hospitality, corporate, and residential. As proof, the One Thousand Museum project in Miami earned the Award of Excellence by CTBUH in 2020. This high-rise residential building project earned 6 other awards in different categories in 2019. In DC, one of its notable works is Station Place, a mixed-use commercial building with state-of-the-art technology and abundant tenant amenities to provide productive workspaces.

Aside from its mission to create value for clients and their communities through excellence and integrity, Plaza is also committed to sustainability, safety, diversity, and philanthropic activities. The company accomplishes projects with various LEED certifications in strict adherence to EPA requirements, engages with small and socio-economically disadvantaged businesses, and supports charities such as Hope for the Warriors, Intrepid Foundation, and Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Plaza.

Martone Construction

5165 Macarthur Blvd. NW, Washington, DC 20016

For over 20 years, Martone Construction has quickly become one of the top general contracting firms in the mid-Atlantic region. In DC, it has helped shape the district’s commercial landscape by building spaces for numerous corporations, non-profits, institutions, and medical companies. You can spot dozens of beautiful office buildings in downtown DC as products of Martone’s dedication and quality performance. As a result, the company has strengthened its roots in the community and relationships in the industry.

Much of Martone’s work in the DC metropolitan area focuses on interior renovations for corporations. Many have benefited from this service by having their amenities, including workspaces, lounges, and terraces, transformed into conducive, healthy, and beautiful spaces. Some of these projects have received an Award of Merit for Best Interiors from NAIOP DC|MD Chapter. In 2014, Medstar Health Georgetown Pediatrics & OBGYN Suite won the Medical/Healthcare Tenant Space Over 10,000 SF Award of Excellence category.

Martone’s strong commitment to satisfying clients sets it apart from competitors. From pre-construction planning and estimating to closeout, Martone closely guides the project team to deliver high-quality work on time at fair, competitive prices.

Buch Construction

11292 Buch Way, Laurel, MD 20723

As one of the district’s leading general contractors, Buch Construction specializes in corporate office, life sciences, retail, education, and other commercial spaces. From base buildings to repositioning and interiors, Buch takes pride in the excellent work and care provided in each project. Even the most logistically complex projects are seamlessly managed with minimal disruption through their unique technical solutions, adhering to their stringent standards so clients can focus on their business. The firm won the Best Retail Project award at the 2021 NAIOP Award of Excellence, making it one of the most reliable commercial general contractors in DC.

Founded by Marie Buch, this family-owned general contracting company is WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) certified. Buch upholds the value of family, which is the backbone of the business. All team members, partners, and clients are considered an extension of the Buch family. The relationships they foster with each stakeholder reflect the care and integrity they bring to every project they manage. In 2018, Buch Construction won the Washington Contractor Awards.

Smoot Construction Company

5335 Wisconsin Ave. N.W. Suite 940, Washington, DC 20015

With almost a hundred successful projects, Smoot Construction Company has been providing construction services under its five guiding principles: character, integrity, pride, performance, and humility for over 50 years. Over these years, Smoot has built a legacy and reputation of excellence and high standards through the latest technologies and a dedicated team of leaders, experts, and partners.

Specializing in general contracting and construction management, their projects range from different commercial spaces such as offices, retail, hospitality, school buildings, libraries, and residential—all with superior quality that exceeds client expectations. An example of a notable project from Smoot is the 400,000-square-foot NMAAHC (National Museum for African American History and Culture) in DC, which has garnered 19 awards from the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks and various publications and organizations. Accredited by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP), Smoot Construction Company adheres to sustainability from design to construction and operations.

L.F. Jennings, Inc.

407 N. Washington St. #200, Falls Church, VA 22046

One of the oldest in the general contracting industry, L.F. Jennings has been serving commercial development owners since its founding. Its founder, Lawrence Floyd Jennings, was later joined by his son in 1965, helping the company mature into a trusted general contractor in the DC area. These long years in the industry have allowed them to build a portfolio of over 1,500 projects, including office parks, mixed-use projects, multifamily residences, retail stores, reuse buildings, healthcare facilities, and corporate interiors. This extensive experience shows their dedication and flexibility to adapt to the evolving marketplace.

In the 2022 ABC Excellence in Construction Awards, the firm’s project received an Honorable Mention in the Mixed-Use category for projects exceeding $50 million, positioning itself as one of the city’s leading commercial general contractors. Some of L.F. Jennings’ top projects in DC include Fort Totten Self-Storage, a facility designed to blend with the residential community, and Target Ivy City, a retail development. The firm’s mission to deliver superior quality work at competitive prices has led many clients to hire L.F. Jennings for future projects. The firm earned the 2021 Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and NAIOP DC awards in 2018 and 2019.

Rand* Construction

1029 North Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Founded by Linda Rabbitt, Rand* Construction began as a small firm in Arlington with seven employees and has grown into a premier general contractor with over 250 professionals. Rand*’s team of project managers, superintendents, and preconstruction professionals bring years of combined experience from various technical disciplines to every project. Rand*’s work has been recognized by regional industry organizations such as WBC, NAIOP, and ABC, with over 200 craftsmanship awards. It has also been consistently voted one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ by the Washington Business Journal and Washington Magazine for over a decade. Rand* is proud to be a certified Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

For over 30 years, Rand* Construction has committed to providing client-oriented, design-sensitive services and consistently delivers projects that meet each client’s goals. It is a strong collective of creative problem-solvers and promotes a culture of excellence. Its accomplished professionals provide comprehensive services throughout a project’s life cycle, exceeding client expectations and delivering cost-effective solutions and outstanding craftsmanship. The company’s vast experience has enabled it to develop strong business relationships with partners and subcontractors nationwide, earning client trust for high-quality work across the country.

McCullough Construction

5513 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Suite 200, Washington, DC 20015

Operating for the last twenty years, McCullough Construction has gained a reputation as an excellent general contracting firm that delivers on-time and within-budget projects while exceeding clients’ expectations. It specializes in commercial construction and renovations, historic restorations, and multi-family residential buildings. Its services range from pre-construction and estimating to general contracting and construction management. As a testament to its reliability, McCullough Construction was a finalist in the NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards.

With an engineering background and 21 years of experience in the industry, Tom McCullough, the Founder and President of the company, ensures his hands-on involvement in every project to ensure superior quality. One of its excellent historic renovations in DC is the conversion of the historic Acme Stove Building into the LivingSocial office, which earned the firm the District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation in 2017. The building underwent a full façade restoration while preserving its historical look.

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 Washington 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.