Albuquerque is the state’s most populous city and has the best of everything New Mexico has to offer. Constantly included in trade and travel guides, the city has become a local economic powerhouse. Both Forbes and National Geographic have dubbed the municipality as one of the best cities in America for businesses.

In recent years, Albuquerque has become the center of New Mexico’s Technology Corridor, a high-tech institutions hub. Microsoft, Intel, Facebook, and MITS, are among the many esteemed companies that have opened up facilities in the city. The town has also become renowned for its sprawling shopping scene filled with up-and-coming retail stores and malls. Due to its location, it has also become a tourist hotspot that offers impressive resorts, casinos, and restaurants.

With business continuing to thrive in the city, many aspiring entrepreneurs have turned to the city’s commercial contractors. Listed below are five of the best. These are the contractors that have caught the eye of our editorial team for their outstanding achievements, projects, and services.

AIC General Contractors, Inc.

2703-G Broadbent Parkway, Albuquerque, NM 87107

AIC General Contractors was founded with a philosophy in mind — “always provide the highest value solution possible.” For over two decades, the firm’s unique analyze-innovate-construct approach has set the gold standard in New Mexico. The process allows construction to be guided by the team’s analysis of the project and its nuanced implementation of techniques. This has led to a 94% repeat or referral business from the team’s satisfied clients.

President David Shaffer heads AIC, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. David has quickly established himself as an industry icon. He has served as a board member of NAIOP, BOMA, CARNM, and Uptown Progress. He is also the Environmental Planning Commission Commissioner for the City Council’s District 7. This dedication to sustainability has resulted in several LEED-certified projects.

Aside from garnering the local market’s attention, the firm has also been recognized by the NAIOP. Many commercial, industrial, and institutional builds the company has worked on have gained awards from the group. One such project is the Belen Firestation. The company expertly navigated through challenges posed by renovating and expanding a decades-old fire station, from removing 2,000 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil to coordinating specifics with an international company for the station’s unique bay doors. In the end, the company managed to create a modern fire station for Belen. At 12,000 square feet, it is three times the size of the old station. It features complete offices, a training room, a walk-in emergency treatment room for the public, conference rooms, a day room for the firefighters, a fully functioning kitchen, and exercise and sleeping quarters. The project is a NAIOP-award winner.

Bradbury Stamm Construction

7110 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107

Being the oldest and largest contractor in New Mexico, there’s a reason why Bradbury Stamm Construction has lasted for nearly a century. While its age is undeniable, it is anything but old-fashioned. Acting as though their best work always lies ahead, the company constantly adapts to the latest technology and the area it is working on. The company employs Building Information Technology to create a virtual image of the project it sets out to create. Doing so allows the team to root out potential issues and better plan for the construction process.

With branches in New Mexico, Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado, BSC has learned to adapt its style to the client’s taste and the area’s as well. This approach has made the firm a popular choice for commercial, multi-family residential, industrial, and institutional projects. The company also focuses on Native American construction, a unique service where they design buildings that integrate aboriginal culture. Many of the team’s members are also LEED AP, which lends to a more environmentally-conscious construction process. The firm built the first LEED Certified building in New Mexico, making it an early pioneer of green construction.

Cynthia Schlutz currently heads the team. She is LEED certified and her educational background is in education management. Under her guidance, the company has been welcomed into the ranks by prestigious construction guilds such as the AIA, AGC, and the USGBC. The firm has consistently been ranked as one of the best contractors in the Southwest by ENR and the AIA’s New Mexico chapter. The team has also been heralded by NM Business First for being the Largest Woman-owned Business in 2017.

HB Construction

3010 Monte Vista Boulevard, NE Albuquerque, NM 87106

Building better projects to create better communities, HB Construction has helped create a brighter future for many lives around the Southwest. The firm develops commercial, institutional, and industrial properties that are designed with functionality in mind. They create stunning commercial spaces that generate business for the client; they also ensure that buildings add something to the greater community around them. This has led to many of their projects earning numerous awards from NAIOP, ENR, and ABCNM.

Aside from just building functional spaces, HB Construction is also set on helping the local area through its advocacies. The firm has a People Who Care program where each employee gets a certain amount of funds to give to a charity of their choice. The company has also partnered up with numerous non-profit organizations that aim to aid families and children in need.

Today, this work philosophy is carried on by CEO Jason Harrington. The son of founder Ken Harrington, Jason started working in the company from its inception in 1991, when he was just 16 years old. He has since earned his degree in Construction Management and taken part in more than $1 billion dollars worth of commercial projects. He was also dubbed one of New Mexico Business Weekly’s Top Performing CEOs and a Top 20 Under 40 honoree by ENR Southwest.

Enterprise Builders Corporation

8516 Paseo Alameda NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

Building a solid reputation behind every bolt, beam, and board they’ve laid out, Enterprise Builders Corporation has become an Albuquerque go-to. Specializing in commercial builds, the company also extends services to institutional and industrial properties around New Mexico. Esteemed companies such as Chevrolet, Porsche, and Audi have approached EBC for their headquarters and stores. With one of the highest repeat business rates in the state, the firm has bred a culture of trust with its clients.

Since 1988, the company has provided ground-up construction, remodeling, and tenant improvement services. The firm also does its own casework and millwork to create furnishings made specifically for its projects. These services have snagged the team an ABC Excellence in Construction Award and an ASA of New Mexico Annual Industry Award in 2019. Current CEO and Co-Founder Ralph Baldwin was also given the 2019 ABC Founder’s Circle Award for his outstanding leadership. The respect Enterprise Builders Corporation has amassed over the years has earned it a spot in ABC, ASA, and USGBC.

Jaynes Corporation

2906 Broadway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107

Jaynes Corporation builds more than just commercial buildings, it builds a legacy. For 75 years, the firm has been helping clients leave their mark on the world with stunning commercial, industrial, and commercial builds. Regardless of one’s vision or business model, the firm creates a personalized team whose backgrounds meet the needs of a project. The contractor does its own concrete construction and millwork to guarantee that buildings stand the test of time. Starting as a concrete construction company, it ensures that projects that employ the material are completed with the highest level of craftsmanship. 

Long after its inception in 1946, it has since evolved into an award-winning commercial contractor that serves New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. The team’s builds have earned numerous recognitions from NAIOP and AGC New Mexico. Current president Shad James also caught the eye of Constructor Magazine which has written features on his career. Shad worked his way up from the ground floor, accumulating over 20 years of experience as a project engineer before becoming a Jaynes Corporation executive. An advocate for the next generation of builders, Shad is also the president of AGC’s education foundation and helped start ACE Leadership Highschool.