Building commercial spaces and structures presents challenges that require a trusted professional. In addition to the actual construction, that expert should be able to juggle planning, financing, and zoning requirements. Field supervision and product selection are also core responsibilities, as is the provision of positive customer service.

The following list highlights the best commercial contractors in Cary, North Carolina. Most of these companies operate at a regional level, and some flourish in multistate and national markets. The criteria the editorial team used for the selection process includes work quality, history, feedback, accreditations, and awards. All businesses have positive reputations in the area, and each is adept at remodeling, construction, and management.

Gilbane Building Company

150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1100, Raleigh, NC 27601

Gilbane is a long-time, national powerhouse in the field of construction and development. Over 150 years in the industry have cemented the company’s status as an elite-level provider of pre-construction, design-build, repairs, and planning services. The firm has three subsidiaries that focus on different fields, creating a streamlined flow of projects from management to post-construction. 

Thomas F. Gilbane Jr is the company’s Chairman; Michael E. McKelvy is the President and CEO. Their leadership—coupled with their team’s comprehensive work—has earned plenty of recognition from various organizations. In-house accolades include 10 awards from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and an Award of Citation from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Legacy Union’s Bank of America Tower is a 1,100,000-square-foot high-rise located in Charlotte. The project took 28 months to complete and features environmental abatement, prefabrication, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) services. The 33-story building is LEED Gold certified and used construction manager at-risk (CMAR) and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) delivery methods. LS3P Associates and HKS served as architects for the development.

Bobbitt

600 Germantown Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

Bobbitt is known as a commercial and industrial general contracting expert in the Carolinas. It has a dossier with 75 years’ worth of developments for businesses, municipalities, and organizations, each structure built for functionality and with long-lasting integrity. Some of the firm’s project markets include the education, medical, mixed-use, and religious sectors.

CEO Brian Denisar practices building methods that follow LEED US Green Building Council (USGBC) quality standards. Most commissions make use of sustainable and efficient properties that benefit the client and the environment.

The Bobbitt contracting team worked on the Dairy Queen Grill and Chill in Raleigh. The new 2,687-square-foot prototype site entailed equipment installation and furniture upgrades for the service and retail company. The fast-food hub fosters a quick-casual ambiance that reflects the soft-serve ice cream brand. Collaborative work between the contractors and the franchisee led to prompt delivery at cost-effective prices.

Poythress Commercial Contractors

224 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513

Exceptional construction is synonymous with Poythress Commercial Contractors, a construction firm based in Cary. President Terry Poythress has over 45 years of construction experience as a commercial and residential builder and developer. Under his leadership, a dedicated staff of experts provides all-around service from start to completion.

The company is known to provide transparent management and collaborative service, and it has earned plenty of praise from its customers. Core services offered include renovations, new construction, remodeling, site selection, and design. The in-house team typically works on offices, retail spaces, car dealerships, mixed-use buildings, recreational facilities, and medical clinics.

The Nissan Crossroads in Wake Forest follows the typical layout of the brand’s car dealership facilities. The building includes a showroom for new automobiles, an office area for sales transactions, and an auto shop for vehicular repairs and maintenance.

J.D. Beam, Inc.

1812 Tillery Place, Raleigh, NC 27604

J.D. Beam, Inc. is a one-stop shop for solid construction, planning, and supervision. Its expertise lies in pre-construction, general contracting, construction management, and design-build services. The company has an 80% repeat client rate and plenty of good reviews from satisfied clients.

Tom Antoine is the president and COO of the business. His firm operates in diverse markets across the Raleigh-Durham and Triangle regions. Antoine’s typical projects include offices, educational buildings, non-profit spaces, healthcare facilities, and senior living housing.

J.D. Beam team to work on a commercial space in downtown Cary called Bond Brothers. The site covers 6,687 square feet of a warehouse which the firm renovated into a beer brewery that can house up to 280 barrels and a taproom that can accommodate up to 80 clients. The firm also built an exterior patio fitted with a pergola.

Riley-Lewis General Contractors, Inc.

236 S Boylan Avenue, #101, Raleigh, NC 27603

Since 1997, Riley-Lewis General Contractors has been a go-to company for property improvements and construction. Quality building and management are guaranteed with this contractor at the helm; co-owners Sean Riley and David Lewis run a process focused on collaborative and dedicated service. Their exemplary work has received the 2018 International Design Award (IDA) from the Carolinas Chapter in the Healthcare category.

The full-service firm is proficient in renovations and up-fits in a variety of sectors. It sports a prolific portfolio filled with offices, sports arenas, gyms, wellness centers, retail spaces, restaurants, and medical and dental facilities.

The North Hills Shopping Center in Raleigh features many retail boutiques. One such store is Beyond Blue Interiors, a shop that provides art, accessories, and design services. The development entailed a new storefront and an interior up-fit.

J.M. Thompson Co.

1002 E Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27511

Established in 1921, J.M. Thompson Co. (JMT) has a longstanding legacy built on commendable improvement services. The Cary contractor ensures top-tier results with competitive pricing for customers in the Carolinas and Virginia. Forging relationships is also central to the firm, a value practiced with clients, employees, and subcontractors.

Brothers John, Dickie, and Marty Thompson head the family-owned and operated company. The third-generation experts handle project management and executive positions, leading a seasoned staff well-versed in construction and customer service. Their work usually involves commercial, industrial, and institutional developments.

Featured below is the complete renovation of the Seaboard Station in Raleigh. The 47,450-square-foot warehouse includes new retail and restaurant facilities, including an ACE Hardware store and a Hunt and Gather antique boutique. Red bricks make up the exterior sidings of the property—a sophisticated choice with timeless appeal. Design Development served as the architect for the project.

Davidson and Jones Construction Company

1207 Front Street, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27609

Davidson and Jones Construction Company is an industry stalwart with roots that trace back to 1918. Robert Davidson Jones and Robert Jones serve as the company’s president and chairman, respectively. The firm’s full range of services includes pre-construction, general contracting, design-build, estimating, and construction management. 

The contracting practice rose to prominence for its well-crafted projects and streamlined management, qualities maintained for over a century.  Prompt and cost-effective delivery also earned many commendations across the Raleigh region. Most of the in-house projects include commercial, mixed-use, and retail territories, including the healthcare, hospitality, residential, office, faith-based, and life science markets.

The Carolina Ale House in Glenwood is a great example of the firm’s construction expertise. The project involved the demolition of the existing Pine State Creamery building, a structure also built by Davidson and Jones. The site now includes a 35,401-square-foot restaurant, a 7,539-square-foot common area, and an additional restaurant.

Harrod and Assoc. Constructors

6612 Fleetwood Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612

Harrod and Assoc. Constructors Inc. made its mark in Raleigh through dedication to quality and value. President Keith Harrod and a team of in-house professionals strive to deliver top-tier work in every phase of building. A well-coordinated process, consistently informed by customer collaboration, ensures accurate results that meet the industry’s standards.

Since its 1994 inception, the company has excelled in construction, remodeling, and management services. Its full range of offerings includes design-build, committee assistance, planning, cost analysis, permitting and coordination, scheduling and time management, and value engineering. LEED building protocols are also in place for structures with sustainable properties.

The firm’s portfolio consists of education facilities, car dealerships, churches, government buildings, retail stores, office spaces, parks and recreation, and pools. One notable project of the firm is the Southern States Mazda, a Raleigh dealership that features the latest car models and provides automotive service.

Riley Contracting Group, Inc.

219 E Chatham Street, Suite 100, Cary, NC 27511

Since 1987, Riley Contracting Group has been a preferred firm thanks to its exceptional construction and streamlined management. The company has found success through quality contracting that always produces satisfactory results. The firm’s expertise focuses on comprehensive and collaborative service as well as delivery that is on time and within budget.

Calin Riley provides hands-on supervision as the firm’s president and CEO. His team works in diverse markets, including the healthcare and medical, educational, and office and retail sectors.

The USPS building is a design-build development that required an exterior facelift for its 89,000-square-foot office. The project took three years to complete and has a project value of 6.5 million. The Riley Contracting crew worked on terracotta rain-screen installation, window placement, mold remediation, and exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) removal and replacement. The business remained open during the project, so work had to be completed in nine phases.