The Commercial Contractors in Baltimore, Maryland

Last updated on July 18th, 2024 at 05:46 am

In Baltimore, Maryland, the success of your commercial construction project hinges on finding the right contractor who is skilled, adaptable, and knowledgeable about the city’s diverse and dynamic environment. Baltimore’s unique architectural heritage and blend of historic and modern buildings require a contractor adept in both preservation and innovation. With project costs ranging from $150,000 to $1,700,000 and an average price per square foot of $100.46, it is crucial to partner with a contractor who can deliver high-quality work within budget and on time. A competent contractor will navigate local regulations, zoning laws, and permitting processes, ensuring compliance and avoiding delays. Baltimore’s varied climate also necessitates choosing materials and techniques that provide durability and efficiency.

Baltimore, home to approximately 565,239 residents, has a median home value of $215,000, reflecting its varied real estate market. Commercial construction projects in this city can take up to 18 months to complete, requiring a contractor who can manage the complexities and potential challenges that arise over such an extended period. Finding the right construction company in Baltimore is crucial to avoid delays and cost overruns and ensure the project meets your expectations.

This article will highlight some of the best commercial contractors in Baltimore, Maryland. These companies have been selected for their proven track records, expertise, and ability to handle projects of all sizes. Whether you’re planning to build an office complex, a retail space, or an industrial facility, these contractors stand out for their professionalism and commitment to excellence, ensuring your commercial construction project is in capable hands.

Overview: The Best Commercial Contractors in Baltimore, Maryland

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

Merritt Construction Services

2066 Lord Baltimore Dr. Baltimore, MD 21244 

The Agora’s 16,500-square-foot Mount Vernon office was originally built in the early 20th century. Age had worn down most of the building, requiring structural support reinforcement. Two new staircases were added to connect the floors across the four-story building. A roof monitor was also installed on the fourth floor to bring natural light into the office. The result is a bright office space that maintains the building’s original historic features, updated with vibrant tones to keep up with the times.

Merritt Construction Services provided this interior renovation. Leading the team is Chairman and CEO Scott Dorsey, who has been with the firm since 1972 and was recognized by the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. President Robb Merritt leads alongside him, carrying on his father and Founder Leroy Merritt’s legacy. Robb previously served as president of the NAIOP Baltimore chapter. The firm has built over 19 million square feet of projects across various industries. Preserving its notoriety as one of the leading construction companies in Baltimore, the studio has been featured in an article from the Business Wire.

Mazzuca Contracting

10907 Guilford Road, Suite A, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 

President Dave Mazzuca established Mazzuca Contracting two decades ago. Some of its clients include Comcast, The Washington Post, Victoria’s Secret, and Verizon. As one of the leading construction companies in Baltimore, it is one of the Fast 50 from the Baltimore Business Journal.

Mazzuca built out Forever 21’s space in Annapolis. The stainless steel-framed glass wall façade showcases the vast collection of basics and on-trend fashion pieces. Intricate coffered ceilings and wainscoted pillars bring a classic touch to the interior, further softened by the pale pink hue on the walls. The brand’s signature minimalist signs beckon passersby at its street-level entrance.

Herman/Stewart Construction

4550 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706 

Now serving 48 states, Herman/Stewart Construction was first established in Lanham. President Terry Varner first joined the firm as a superintendent, quickly moving into the office as a project manager before becoming Vice President in 1993 and assuming his current role in 2018. He leads a strong team of project managers and estimators, most of whom have been with the company for over ten years 一 backed by a wealth of experience accumulated during his 40-year career.

Herman/Stewart built West Elm Baltimore’s 11,000-square-foot space on the ground level of the Exelon tower at Harbor Point. An open steel framework and floor-to-ceiling glass windows create an airy, modern atmosphere. A grand staircase connects the spaces filled with the brand’s upscale, contemporary furniture and home accessories. Herman/Stewart also built West Elm’s store in Alexandria, Virginia.

Southway Builders Inc

1318 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230 

Mission BBQ is a fast-casual restaurant serving authentic barbecue made from the freshest ingredients. Launched by two patriotic best friends, each store pays homage to US soldiers, firefighters, police officers, and first responders via photos on the walls, framed uniforms, and a barracks-inspired interior.

Southway built the prototype store in Annapolis. Leading the 60-strong team is President Willy Moore, who brings over three decades of construction industry experience to the firm. Southway has built over 2,500 multifamily units and four million square feet of commercial projects. The firm has been recognized by both the ABC and AIA Baltimore as Contractor of the Year multiple times. It has also received ABC Baltimore’s Diamond Safety Award for four consecutive years. Southway is currently working on a new two-story facility in the historic Lexington Market. The firm built a dedicated catering facility at Mission BBQ’s Glen Burnie headquarters.

KasCon, Inc.

6325 Woodside Court, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21046 

Commercial contractor KasCon has built multiple locations for Sky Zone’s indoor trampoline parks and adventure centers. The complex projects include the construction of varied structural platforms, intricate padded flooring and wall surfaces, custom-constructed rails, and specialty finishes. KasCon has impressed Sky Zone owner Craig Hansen with its creative solutions to obstacles in building the over 20,000-square-foot structures.

Taking a 360-degree view of every project—from its smallest details to its myriad complexities—KasCon has been building for over two decades. President Jeff Kassman brings over 30 years of experience to the firm, from being part of drywall and carpentry crews to serving as Project Manager, General Manager, and Chief Operating Officer with other firms in the area. He remains hands-on with KasCon’s projects.

Acropolis Construction Co., Inc.

2900 Hampden Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21211 

Acropolis Construction livened up Wetzel’s Pretzels’ location at Arundel Mills Mall with a bright coat of paint on its walls reminiscent of its signature golden-on-the-outside pretzels. The firm carefully planned its building process as the store remained open, ensuring its construction work would not disrupt operations. Both renovation and expansion were successfully and expeditiously completed, all while the outlet continued producing its fresh-from-the-oven goodies.

John Diakoulas founded Acropolis Construction, starting out with a focus on residential projects. The firm began to take on larger commercial and industrial projects in the nineties. Today, it is led by President Devin Diakoulas, who has been with the firm for nearly 20 years. Acropolis is certified lead-safe by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and a member of the ABC. One of the top construction companies in Baltimore, it also holds accreditation from BBB.

MacKenzie Contracting

2324 W. Joppa Road, Suite 600, Lutherville, Maryland, 21093

MacKenzie Contracting has been building for nearly four decades as part of the MacKenzie group of companies, which has six offices across Maryland. Baltimore City native President and COO Marty Copsey leads the team, with an Associate of Arts Degree in Construction Management from Catonsville Community College and a Civil Engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University. Copsey has seen the company grow from a team of seven to over 30 employees and has managed over 40 million dollars worth of projects in both the private and public sectors.

Hailed as one of the preferred construction companies in Baltimore, the firm handled the renovation of the Under Armour Brand House in Harbor East. 14-foot high custom-made entry doors open to a bright LED-lit interior with new glazing and metal panels. Concrete stairs connect the spaces across the 9,500-square-foot flagship store, which are lined by custom wood and concrete display fixtures. A large wood-carved logo wall appears behind the cashier. The project received numerous accolades, including international recognition from the Association for Retail Environments, now known as the Shop! Association.

S & R Commercial

2800 Quarry Lake Drive, Suite 340, Baltimore, MD 21209

Leading the S & R Commercial team today is Director of Construction Bruno Hanelt, who brings over a decade of experience in construction project management. Hanelt aims to bring this construction company in Baltimore closer to its clients, looking at each project from their perspective in order to help see their vision through.

S & R Commercial has built multiple Starbucks locations throughout Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. Each iteration of the leading coffee chain’s stores incorporates its signature wood motif across its counters, display shelves, and dining areas, even as themes change from industrial exposed cement finishes to cozy lounge-style spaces. Window walls lining the brick, stone, and glass façades flood the interior areas with light, complemented by recessed lights and spotlights.

UrbanBuilt

4015 Foster Ave. Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21224 

What was once the site of Don Pablo’s at The Avenue in White Marsh has been transformed into the dual-concept restaurant Curious Oyster and Wayward Smokehouse. With one façade coated in white and the other in charcoal, the two outlets share public bathrooms and back-of-house kitchen and production areas. It’s all joined by a central corridor across the 8,000-square-foot building. Their interiors, however, are completely distinct, with Curious Oyster taking on an airy industrial design with tones of mint green to match its seafood fare, and brick walls and white wood giving Wayward Smokehouse a casual rustic charm 一 a fire pit warming its alfresco area. The project won a National Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Greater Baltimore.

Behind the project is Baltimore-based UrbanBuilt. The firm was founded by partners Jason Watts and David Linsalata, who each bring over 20 years of hands-on construction experience and business know-how. UrbanBuilt has become a go-to contractor for many quick-service restaurants in the Mid-Atlantic and has worked on multiple locations for Domino’s, Starbucks, Bon Chon, Coldstone Creamery, and Wingstop.

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 Baltimore, Maryland 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.