Tips on Hiring a General Contractor for Your Remodel
If you are planning to remodel your home, hiring a general contractor helps you save time and money, improve your project's quality, and ensure that all of the project's details get taken care of. As with any construction project, it is important to do your research before hiring a contractor. This includes asking the right questions during interviews so you feel confident in making a decision. Here is how to find the right contractor for your home remodel and what questions to ask them during interviews.
Interview at least three contractors to find the one that best meets your needs.
When you're interviewing potential general contractors, make sure to ask the following questions:
Is the contractor licensed and insured? This is an important question because it shows that they're serious about their business and want to protect their clients.
What's their reputation in the community? If you know someone who has worked with them or heard good things about them, ask if they would recommend this contractor.
What kind of experience do they have with similar projects? It's helpful to find out what kind of projects other people have hired them for so that you know if they are able to handle yours.
Do they have references from past clients? This gives an idea of how much trustworthiness (and competence) each candidate brings into play when working on your home renovation project.
Find out if the contractor has a license and follow up to see that it is current.
Before hiring a general contractor, check that their license is not revoked or suspended. You also want to check to see if there are any complaints against them or other contractors who work for them, especially when hiring a general contractor for an entire remodel project or large renovation job. If you see they still have their license, make sure it is up to date as well. An expired license could prove to be just as bad as a suspended license.
Check references and past work.
When hiring a general contractor, you should ask for references from previous clients. Try checking out their website, if they have one, and look at examples of their recent projects. If there are none, ask to be emailed or shown in person some pictures of previous projects.
It is always a good idea to ask friends, family members and neighbors who they have used in the past, especially if those people were satisfied with their experience working with this GC!
Ask about their liability coverage.
General liability insurance is a policy that protects you against claims of bodily injury, property damage and other damages caused by your contractor's negligence. Your contractor should have enough coverage to protect you from any potential lawsuits or complaints regarding their workmanship.
If they don't already carry these policies, consider adding them yourself before hiring a general contractor so you won't have to pay extra premiums later on down the road when it comes time for payment.
Get a detailed contract.
A good contract should include:
The scope of work, including materials and labor.
A payment schedule, including an outline of any warranties or guarantees.
A description of the project in detail, including how changes to the project are handled (for example, if you decided to add more windows). This section should also specify who is responsible for obtaining permits and inspections throughout construction.
The best way to find a general contractor is to interview at least three of them, ask for references and past work, and get a detailed contract. You could also check with your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for recommendations on reputable contractors in your area. Remember: hiring a general contractor for your remodel project is an important decision because you work closely with this person throughout the process. Make sure they have all the necessary licenses and insurance coverage before hiring them! If you need help with a remodel in the Erie, CO area, contact our team at Oriole Home & Design. We have experienced general contractors waiting to assist you.