What to Look for When Hiring an Exterior Contractor

Choosing the right exterior contractor is one of the most critical decisions for property developers, commercial builders, and project managers. Whether you’re managing a multi-family development or spearheading a commercial build, the contractor you select directly influences timelines, material quality, regulatory compliance, and overall project success. For large-scale builds in Edmonton and across Alberta, Great Canadian Exteriors delivers consistent, high-performance solutions backed by proven experience and industry specialization.

While price often leads initial conversations, savvy developers understand that value, scalability, and risk mitigation are far more important in the long run. Working with a company that can deliver specialized crews, strong supplier relationships, and reliable project management—like Great Canadian Exteriors—makes all the difference.

A Track Record of Large-Scale Success

When evaluating contractors for a major development or commercial project, past performance is your best indicator. Look for an exterior contractor with a substantial portfolio of completed work across various sectors, not just residential homes.

Great Canadian Exteriors has completed more than 10,000 projects across commercial, custom, and multi-family developments in the Edmonton region. From office buildings to condo complexes, their work speaks to a deep understanding of architectural demands, municipal regulations, and logistical complexities unique to larger builds.

Specialized Crews for Each Trade

Project delays, quality inconsistencies, and safety issues often stem from uncoordinated subcontracting. That’s why it’s essential to hire a contractor with dedicated, in-house teams for each trade.

GCE offers specialized crews for:

This approach enables tighter timelines, higher-quality finishes, and seamless integration with other trades onsite. It also simplifies communication—something project managers greatly value when juggling multiple vendors and contractors.

Comprehensive Project Management

Exterior contracting is more than installation. It’s about delivering on schedule, coordinating multiple trades, and handling variables like weather, supply chain delays, or evolving project specs.

Great Canadian Exteriors provides fully managed exterior services, taking the weight off developers and site supervisors. With project managers integrated into the build process from day one, GCE ensures jobs stay on track without compromising safety or quality.

Material Quality and Customization Flexibility

Edmonton’s climate demands robust exterior solutions. Whether you’re working with fiber cement, aluminum, metal panels, or EIFS, your contractor should offer durable, energy-efficient materials that meet or exceed code requirements.

GCE works with a wide range of premium materials suited to diverse architectural styles—from clean-lined commercial façades to textured EIFS or stone finishes on multi-family dwellings. Their strong supplier relationships also mean better pricing, priority access to materials, and fewer delays due to shortages.

Safety, Insurance, and Compliance

On commercial or multi-family job sites, safety is non-negotiable. Contractors must adhere to provincial safety codes and be fully insured to protect both workers and project stakeholders.

Great Canadian Exteriors maintains comprehensive insurance coverage, prioritizes jobsite safety, and ensures all team members are trained to current Alberta standards. 

Transparent Estimates and Realistic Scheduling

A reliable exterior contractor provides more than just a quote—they offer a transparent scope of work, timeline, and realistic contingency planning. Ask for detailed breakdowns and clarification around variables like material availability, change orders, or weather delays.

Great Canadian Exteriors delivers accurate estimates, on-time execution, and clear reporting throughout the project, helping developers avoid scope creep or budget overruns.

Local Knowledge and Building Code Expertise

Building in Alberta means dealing with frost lines, freeze-thaw cycles, moisture control, and high wind exposure. A contractor rooted in the region understands these dynamics and designs exterior systems that hold up under pressure.

With deep experience in Edmonton and surrounding municipalities, Great Canadian Exteriors brings localized expertise and code fluency that streamlines permitting and inspection processes—reducing potential bottlenecks and ensuring long-term building performance.

Two-story modern home with dark grey siding and warm wood exterior accents in Edmonton.