Finding The Right Contractor For Your Project
When it comes to remodeling or renovating your home
, choosing the right contractor can make all the difference. That doesn't mean that the skills and materials involved lose in importance, yet it is the quality of the contractor that can turn the renovation into a nightmare for you. There are plenty of tales about incompetent constructors going around, and yet there are as many trustworthy professionals who will make your home remodeling seem like a day at the beach.
Your first step is finding two or three contractors to prepare a cost estimate for you. Getting referrals from friends and family who have had similar work done is a first step, and gives you the opportunity to see the work done and discuss it honestly. However, if the project is quite different to what you want done, there may not be a good basis for comparison.
You can either check with local building associations for a good contractor, or local building supplies stores, and although the latter have a list of professionals in your district, it is not relevant to the quality of their work, but to the materials purchased.
You might want to try asking other contractors that work in the constructions business for recommendations. Besides building contractors, a construction project usually involves electricians, plumbers and painters who can provide you with good referrals based on their dealings with them.
When you have found at least three contractors you think may be suitable, you will need to show them your plans and discuss the project in order for them to prepare a cost estimate. Your plans may need to adjust to your budget limitations, and a competent contractor will do that for you along with presenting you all the options regarding building materials.
Make sure that the contractor's experience falls within the scope of your project. If you are building a home from the ground up and the contractor has only done remodeling projects, you may want to consider another project with more relevant experience.
You need to check each contractor's licensing and insurance status thoroughly, and ask for at least three references. Get in touch with those previous employers and ask them if there were any deadline or cost problems, and if they can give you an objective opinion about the contractor and the quality of his work. If the projects are near enough, try to arrange a visit so you can inspect the work yourself.
Another aspect that you should consider when selecting a contractor is their behavior as compared to yours. Your contractor may like to be in complete control of the project and hate any type of interference in his work, so if you are the kind of person who likes to interfere, you can look forward to a lot of tension and arguments for the duration of the project. Therefore, good communication and a civilized relationship are crucial as you are likely to spend practically half a day, each day until the end of the project, which can take weeks to complete.
Do not accept cost estimates given off the top of the head, but demand that they be given in print, and that they include a list of materials with specified quantities for each, as well as a work timetable and guarantee. Generally contractors ask for an upfront partial payment followed by other small payments with each completed task in order to cover materials. This can vary between 10 and 30% of the total cost estimate. If a contractor asks you to pay for the entire project before even starting to work on it, don't hesitate in showing him out the door.
Once you have found a good contractor, be sure to recommend him to your family and friends.
by: Patricia Abrams
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