General Contractor
Remodeling or Complete Building Design
It’s natural to want to remodel parts of your home, whether you have just moved in and something does not sit quite right, or simply to liven things up after a while. Instead of hiring just anyone to remodel, though, it’s best to consider a number of things to choose the right contractor for the job. First and foremost, you want to find someone who is fully licensed and insured. Depending on your state, the rules will actually differ, so your first step should be to visit contractors-license.org and verify that your general contractor meets the requirements. While all this may seem obvious, it is in your best interests to protect yourself just in case.
Determining Cost of Project
Price is going to be a big factor in finding the right contractor. Get price offers from multiple contractors and compare them against each other. Keep in mind that the cheapest deal may not necessarily be the best deal. There may be a catch involved (like further payments down the line) or they may be using inferior materials to the other contractors. You want the job done right the first time around so you do not have to keep paying for additional contract work. Of course, this does not mean the most expensive offer will yield the best results either. Take the best deal that is not a serious outlier compared to everyone else’s offers.
Contract Agreement
Part of the word “contractor” is “contract”, after all, and you want to make sure all sides are clear on the job being done before any work is started. You want your contractor to clearly communicate to you every detail of this contract and what work will be done, in addition to payments and deadlines. If a contractor is being vague with you, that might signify that they are cutting corners somewhere or might attempt to gouge more money out of you down the road. Speaking of payments, US News Money suggests not paying more than 30% up front (and usually much less), staggering your payments over the course of the project until your demands are met, and leaving the final 10-15% for when everything is completed.
Recommendations and Testimonials
It is also a good idea to get a history on your contractor and ensure that they have a good track record. Ask them for examples of their previous projects. If they want your money and trust, they will comply. They should answer all of your questions clearly. Thisoldhouse.com recommends also asking how many projects they are currently working on, and if they have too many, that might be of some concern about how much attention they will pay to your own. If you can, seeing their past projects in person will give you a great idea of the job they are capable of.
Another great way to get reviews is check out your prospective contractor on third party review sites, like Yelp, Angies List, Houzz, or any of the other review sites.
Choosing the right building contractor is not easy, but the main objective is to do your research and make sure they are properly licensed and insured. If you would like any more information or are looking for a building contractor please feel free to email or call us.
