Tips for Choosing a General Contractor

Choosing a general contractor can be stressful. There are often many different contractors to choose from and you may feel like it’s hard to know which ones are trustworthy and will do a great job. Experts In Your Home doesn’t want you to feel “in the dark” about the best process to choose a contractor.

When you go to start a new construction job you can take some steps to give you peace of mind that you are hiring someone trustworthy and reputable, and get on with enjoying your new construction process!

Here are some tips for choosing a contractor:

Get Multiple Bids

When choosing a contractor you want to get multiple bids to ensure you are getting a fair price estimate. This Old House recommends starting on the phone and asking these questions:

• Do they take on projects of your size?
• Are they willing to provide financial references, from suppliers or banks?
• Can they give you a list of previous clients?
• How many other projects would they have going at the same time?
• How long have they worked with their subcontractors?

Verify Credentials

Every contractor has to be licensed by the state. Experts In Your Home has a detailed list for interviewing contractors and verifying credentials in our free guide “3 Steps Smart Homeowners Take to Avoid Hiring a Bad Contractor”. In the end, you don’t want to skimp on this part because this is the first step in finding a contractor you can trust.

Investigate

After you verify credentials and get a list of projects the contractor has worked on and some current and former customer references, it’s a good idea to investigate those and get the inside opinion on how the homeowner liked working with the contractor and whether or not they were satisfied with the job.

Find Someone You Connect With

When choosing a contractor you want to find someone you like dealing with. This isn’t the only factor and of course there could be some unscrupulous contractors who seem likeable. But make sure this is part of the equation and your new construction process will be easier and more enjoyable. Also, make sure they are communicating clearly with you and that you feel like you’re on the same page with your project.

Be Clear about Your Budget

When it comes to the budget, make sure you are clear up front about what you can and cannot afford. When you choose a contractor make sure that their view of your project and budget lines up with what you said you can afford.

Negotiate a Clear Contract in Writing

From the Experts In Your Home free guide “3 Steps Smart Homeowners Take to Avoid Hiring a Bad Contractor”:

“The written agreement is the most important communication tool between you and the contractor because it’s what is referred back to in the event of a misunderstanding. If anything is unclear to you in the contract, make sure to resolve it prior to signing. That way, if any disagreements arise after the contract is signed, they won’t result in more time, money, or legal action.”

Don’t skip this important step of getting your contract in writing, it will go a long way to a smooth relationship with your contractor.

If you want more information on hiring a good contractor, download the ebook below. If you want to contact us for general contractor services in Chico or Paradise, we are here to help walk you through the process and give you a bid.