All too often, people hire a building contractor that seems qualified, professional, and friendly, just to have their dream project quickly transform into a nightmare. Whether it is a fly-by-night company looking to make a quick buck or one that overstates its experience and qualifications, working with them results in stress, frustration, and lost time and money. Continue reading this article to learn tips for hiring a general contractor sure to deliver on your expectations.
Tips For Hiring a General Contractor
When hiring a building contractor, you have a lot to consider. Your choice plays a significant role in how your residential or commercial project turns out. But how do you choose the right remodeling contractor for your job? Let’s examine some of the essential steps you can take to research a company and questions to ask a contractor to make sure they’re a good fit.
Research the Contractor’s Reputation and Experience
Friends and family are invaluable resources when hiring a contractor. While they may not have exact details about a contractor’s reputation and experience, they can share their personal experiences. In many instances, you’ve probably even seen the results of their tenant or home improvement project.
Your loved ones, coworkers, or neighbors can also provide insights into a contractor’s process and professionalism. An essential tip for hiring a general contractor is to ask those you trust about their experiences. Be sure to ask questions like:
- Did they finish work by the agreed-upon completion date?
- Was the job completed within budget?
- Were they readily available to answer questions or address concerns?
- What type of payment schedules do they offer?
- Would you hire the building contractor again?
The internet is also an excellent tool when it comes time to hire a building contractor. A quick Google search is likely to bring up plenty of reviews and information about the business. Of course, people can manipulate online reviews, so be sure to use multiple trustworthy sources. Sites like the Better Business Bureau are highly trusted and provide important information, reviews, ratings, and accreditation.
Get Multiple Bids
One tip for hiring a general contractor that can prove beneficial but is often overlooked is getting multiple bids. Once you’ve gotten recommendations and researched a contractor’s reputation and experience, contact them to meet at the project site. Discuss your wants and needs and ask for a written bid.
A bid price doesn’t necessarily indicate a contractor’s reputation and experience but can reveal helpful information. A common rule of thumb is to get three estimates and choose the middle one. A bid that comes in much lower than others is often a red flag that indicates a contractor is having trouble finding jobs, uses low-quality materials, or cuts corners.
If the highest bid is competitive with the middle one and you’re interested in hiring them for your project, feel free to ask them if they’ll match the other offer. Finding a contractor willing to price match a reputable competitor’s apples-to-apples bid is not uncommon.
Ask to See Results
Choosing the right remodeling contractor can come down to style and preference. Ask to see a builder’s portfolio to get a feel for their style and the results they produce. After all, a contractor’s reputation and experience are most easily demonstrated by their previous results. A commercial facility or home builder that takes pride in their work should be happy to provide photos and examples of similar projects to yours.
Think Local
A local contractor’s reputation means everything to them. So hiring a building contractor with a good reputation and roots in your area helps ensure a happy ending for your commercial space upgrade, home renovation, or addition.
Trust Your Instincts
Choosing a contractor isn’t just about price, reputation, and referrals. If you have doubts about a contractor or they don’t seem like a good fit despite aligning with your budget and timeline, listen to yourself. Too often, people ignore this tip for hiring a general contractor and have to deal with someone who makes them uncomfortable throughout a commercial or home remodeling project.
Hire a Building Contractor With Credibility and Experience
One of the most important tips for hiring a general contractor is to ensure they’re licensed, bonded, and insured. Being licensed shows, they’ve demonstrated the necessary knowledge of building codes and industry standards set by the city, state, and regulatory agencies.
Proof of being covered by an insurance company is also essential. Without liability insurance, any accidents or injuries on your property could be your responsibility. That is also true if they damage your neighbor’s property.
Being certified with industry-leading brands, governing bodies, and technology manufacturers demonstrates a contractor’s reputation and experience. You can get a better understanding of a contractor’s credibility by asking these questions:
- Do you offer any warranties or guarantees?
- How do you handle change orders if not covered in the bid?
- Are you able to offer extended manufacturer warranties?
- Are you responsible for clearing debris and cleaning up my area upon completion?
Do They Specialize in the Type of Project You’re Undertaking?
Hiring a building contractor that has vast experience in the particular type of construction you want is a must. A home remodeling contractor may do impeccable work on kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but does that qualify them for a commercial exterior renovation? This is an area where asking to see a portfolio or consulting with friends and family that have had similar projects done can be especially beneficial.
Looking To Hire A Building Contractor? Reach out to RSP Group
At RSP Group, we approach each project with the utmost care and attention to detail. We are proud of our reputation as an inclusive organization that encourages our partners to show their true colors and openly collaborate with us. Our team has vast experience in the San Francisco Bay area. RSP is dedicated to seeing your dream project through from concept to completion.
If you’re currently considering a commercial or residential building project, we welcome you to reach out and put these tips for hiring a general contractor to the test. We offer free consultations and are ready to help you take the next step in your remodel, renovation, addition, or improvement project.
Do They Specialize in the Type of Project You’re Undertaking?
Hiring a building contractor that has vast experience in the particular type of construction you want is a must. A home remodeling contractor may do impeccable work on kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but does that qualify them for a commercial exterior renovation? This is an area where asking to see a portfolio or consulting with friends and family that have had similar projects done can be especially beneficial.
