12 Tips to Follow in Selecting a General Contractor
A reliable and skilled general contractor is an important component of every home construction project. There are 12 tips you can follow to choose the right contractor including the following:
- Develop a clear construction outline. It should include straightforward goals, expectations and budget categories.
- Make a quality list before contacting anyone. For example, how do you value budget, time efficiency and experience in a contractor?
- Make sure the contractor is knowledgeable about permits. He or she needs to know how to obtain the permits required to construct in your area.
- Contact previous clients. Listen to their opinion of the contractor and ask who their second and third options were.
- Set a clear schedule. Use it to evaluate progress and to keep the project on track.
- Reflect on how easily you communicate with the contractor. With a home construction project, you should feel comfortable discussing all thoughts and ideas.
- Get a quote from the contractor. Discuss how it was determined and how a payment schedule would look.
- Don’t hire the first contractor you meet. Instead, meet with multiple options and after comparing them, make an informed decision.
- Check the background of the contractor. This is easily done by contacting the state licensing board.
- Discuss the option with friends or family members. They may have experience with contractors and recommend other evaluation criteria.
- Have a well-planned design for the contractor to evaluate. This print should include details for which the contractor is not responsible, such as light fixtures and wall colors.
- Be honest about your own skills and expectations. When you interview a potential contractor, he or she is also interviewing you as a potential employer, and all cards should be on the table to foster a productive and respectful relationship.
After the project is completed, consider writing an honest evaluation for the contractor. Just as an honest reference helps you pick a general contractor, so to can you help other people beginning home construction projects.