Questions to Ask Before Hiring a General Contractor
When it comes to building or renovating your home, you want a company that you can trust to get the job done right. This means hiring a general contractor, which will oversee the construction process and make sure you are getting the best value for your money.
The role of a general contractor can be quite a complex one, and you need to be sure to find the best possible one before beginning your project. Here are a few questions to ask a general contractor before you hire them:
Are they licensed?
Licenses are important for any industry. In the construction world, licensing is important to ensure that a company is up to date on local laws and regulations, as well as safety standards.
Have a contract drawn up that is clear on the work to be done, deadlines, payment process, subcontractors and materials. It should also have a termination clause and provisions for changes to the scope of work.
Beware of contractors that charge a flat fee for their services. This type of contract can be risky, since the contractor may end up bringing in additional costs at the last minute that will not be covered by the flat fee.
Rather than charging a flat fee, general contractors can offer a management and coordination fee that is based on their experience. This option is more expensive, but can help you save time and money in the long run by ensuring that all the work on your home is completed in a timely manner.
A great general contractor will communicate with you regularly about the progress of your project. This will ensure that you remain aware of what is happening with your project at all times, and it will also help the contractor to be efficient in their work so that they can finish your project on time and within budget.
Have your project inspected on a regular basis to ensure that it is being completed in accordance with the contract and any applicable codes or regulations. This will also ensure that any unforeseen issues can be addressed immediately.
Tidiness: A good GC will make it very clear in their estimate & contracts how they intend to protect your property and personal belongings throughout the construction process. If they don’t have a plan in place to keep your belongings safe, you should consider hiring someone else to do the job instead.
Ask for references from past clients and talk to them in person about their experiences with the GC. This will give you an idea of how the GC works and if they are trustworthy, honest, and dependable.
Don’t forget to ask if they have a bond, which will give you more financial protection should the GC be unable to complete the work or if it is done poorly.
You can also try asking family, friends and coworkers if they have used a general contractor recently for a remodel or other project. This can be a great way to find a general contractor, as they are likely to have a recommendation for a local GC that is in your area.