Tips for Hiring a General Contractor

One of the first steps in the home renovation process is hiring a general contractor. You or someone you know may have strong opinions about contractors – there are certainly a fair number of people out there who have been scammed in the past. But by doing some research and being proactive, you can rest assured you will be choosing a licensed professional with the experience to provide the final product you envision. These are some tips to help you get started.

The hiring process typically begins with getting some recommendations from friends, family and coworkers if possible. You may also check with a local lumberyard or hardware store. This can give you a good idea of which contractors others have had success with.

You can also search online. Cast a wide net – consider large and small companies. Make a list of possible choices, then begin checking sites like Angie’s List or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Reviews should not dictate your final decision, but they can help you narrow your options further.

After you have a list of potential candidates, make some phone calls to learn more about them. Ask questions such as:

• Are they registered with the state and insured?
  
• Have they completed a project like yours in the past?
  
• Who are their subcontractors?
  
• Can they provide you with references from clients, suppliers and banks?
  
• Will they be working on other projects at the same time? If so, how many?
  

Consider how they interact with you – were they professional when answering the phone? Were their answers satisfactory, or did they give you the runaround? Did they take your questions seriously and treat you with respect? These are important factors to keep in mind.

You will want at least three bids, so try to schedule an in-person meeting with four to six contractors if possible. That way you leave yourself options moving forward.

This is a job interview – you should ask plenty of detailed questions to get an idea of their character and previous work history. In addition to the questions you asked over the phone, inquire about:

• How long they have been in business – In general, the longer, the better. Pop-up contractors with little reputation could be looking for a quick buck and may not be around if something needs fixing in the future.
  
• Where their business is located – A permanent address means they are less likely to “disappear” when something goes wrong.
  
• How they have handled disputes in the past – Even reputable contractors have complaints made against them. Check with the BBB and find out how problems were resolved.
  
• The details of their insurance coverage – Be sure it includes workers’ compensation, property damage and liability coverage in case of an accident on the job. Ask for copies of the policies.
  
• Their payment schedules – Do they offer financing for large projects and are they flexible? Be wary of contractors asking for large payments upfront – check your state’s down payment limits.
  
• When they can have a written bid completed – This is indicative of how seriously they take deadlines. If they say a certain day or time, they should stick to it.
  

As mentioned previously, you should receive at least three bids. They should be in writing and cover costs for labor, materials and profit margins. They should also outline the payment plan and work schedule. If there is an abnormally low bid, experts recommend you toss it out. That contractor could be desperate for work or not planning on doing a good job.

If you did your research and were diligent during the interview process, you should have landed on a general contractor who seems trustworthy and capable of performing quality work. Not all states require written contracts, but you should make sure they provide you with one regardless.

Your contract should include:

Just because you have signed the dotted line and the work has started does not mean your job is done. Most experts recommend taking photographs and writing down any verbal communication you have with your contractor throughout the job to help settle potential disputes.

You should also consider making a checklist of everything that should have been completed according to the contract and go over the list with your contractor before handing over the final payment. Keep all these documents in a safe place.

Though hiring a general contractor may seem daunting, it pays to be thorough every step of the way. If you are searching for a reputable roofing contractor in the Spokane area, look no further than Alpine Construction. Our team of contractors have been providing the area with quality roof construction and remodeling services for more than 30 years.

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