Planning Your New Home? How To Find The Right Contractor For The Job
If you're planning on building your own home, don't take chances with the general contractor. They're going to be responsible for building the home that you and your family will be living in. You want to make sure that the contractor you hire is up to the task. Luckily, you don't have to leave the process up to chance. Here are five steps you can take to ensure that you hire the best general contractor for the job.
Ask Your Friends
When hiring a general contractor, you don't want to hire one that no one has heard of. You want one that has a proven track record. The first thing you should do is ask people within your own social circle. Find out who in your group has had experience with contractors in your area. Ask for details on the good, as well as the bad, contractors. The more details you can gather about a contractor, the better. By asking your friends, you'll be able to begin painting a picture of the contractor you want to work with on your project.
Know Who You're Hiring
Once you've narrowed your choices down to just one or two contractors, start looking into their backgrounds. Conduct a records search of their licenses to ensure they're properly licensed, and qualified to undertake the construction projects you're planning. It's also important to see if they've had any disciplinary actions taken against them, or if they have any pending legal actions against them. That information will allow you to narrow your list down even further.
Check Out Recent Projects
When choosing a general contractor, it's important to look at some of their most recent projects. Looking at pictures in project portfolios is one thing. However, pictures don't tell the whole story. You need to look at the actual work. Touring a recent project will allow you to open doors, check out the cabinetry, and get an up-close look at a contractors work.
Request References
Before choosing a contractor, request a list of references that would be willing to talk to you. Make a list of questions that you'd like to ask them, and then call. Contacting references will help you identify potential problems that you might face. It will also help you choose the contractor that will work best with you.
Know the Sub-Contractors
Finally, when hiring a contractor, its' a good idea to request a list of sub-contractors that your contractor will be working with. This will help you familiarize yourself with everyone who will be working on your new home.
Don't take chances with your new home. Use the strategies provided here to help you choose the right contractor for the project. For more information, contact contracting companies like SBL Contractors LTD.
Share