A great general contractor makes all the difference between a good remodel and a bad one. Unfortunately, finding that perfect person to work with isn’t always easy. Luckily, there are warning signs you can look out for that indicate whether or not your general contractor is right for you
If any of these warning signs apply to your GC, it may be best to find someone else who understands your vision and will work with you without taking too much of your money.
#1: They Never Return Phone Calls or E-mails
Communication is key in any relationship – but especially important when it comes to building yours! A good general contractor should be quick to respond and always willing to answer any questions you might have.
If they aren’t, it’s possible that they’re too busy or unorganized to work with you effectively. You may need to consider moving on to a GC who will actually take the time to communicate with you during the remodel process.
#2: They Push for Decisions
Good general contractors provide guidance and support when it comes to making decisions during your home improvement project. This means they let you make the choices that are right for your family and budget – not theirs!
If your general contractor is pushing you towards decisions before consulting with your preferences, this could mean one of two things: either (1) he doesn’t care about your family’s best interests or (2) he is trying to make the decisions for you so that they are easier/quicker for him. Neither of these are signs of a good GC!
#3: They Don’t Keep You Informed About Progress and Next Steps
A great general contractor will keep you informed throughout the entire project – not just at the beginning and end. This means keeping you in the loop on what has been completed and what still needs to be done, any changes that arise, etc.
If it seems like your GC isn’t giving you all of this information because he doesn’t want to deal with it or talk about it, then again – this likely means there could be problems! A good GC should always be willing to discuss what went well and what could have gone better. Communication is key!
#4: They Want All of the Money Up Front
One of the most inconvenient things about hiring a general contractor is that you often have to pay them before they actually start doing work on your home. However, some contractors will ask for more than half of the total cost up front – which can leave you in quite a tough spot if something unexpected arises later down the road or if they just don’t finish their work.
A good general contractor won’t want money until he has actually completed work on your project. If this doesn’t seem like it would be an issue with your current GC, maybe consider moving onto someone else.
#5: They Don’t Set a Budget for the Project
Good general contractors always set a budget ahead of time and stick to it. If they tell you that they can complete your project within a certain dollar amount, make sure that’s what they do! Keep in mind – this doesn’t mean your GC should try to work with as little money as possible. Rather, he just needs to be realistic about how much something will cost and whether or not certain materials are worth the investment.
A good general contractor will have an eye on the big picture – not just his own pocket book! If yours is trying to cut costs everywhere he can regardless of the price you incur later on, this could be a major warning sign that he doesn’t always put your interests first.
If you feel like any of these signs might apply to your current GC or if you’re considering hiring someone new, don’t hesitate to do some research on different general contractors in the area! A good one should be easy to find and eager to meet with you… plus it will make your remodeling process much more enjoyable!
Are You Looking for a General Contractor You Can Trust?
If you’re considering a whole house, kitchen or bathroom remodel, New Key Construction, based in Walnut Creek California, is here to serve you. Our passion is to be the home for talented craftsmen who deliver beautiful projects to clients throughout the SF East Bay Area! Choosing the right general contractor for your project can be difficult, but we make things easy by focusing on Your Experience, Client Communication, Cutting Edge Technology and Pushing Our Design and Build Limits! If we could have one goal, it would be that when someone you know is looking for a contractor you highly recommend our company because of the experience we deliver for you! Check out our website, our portfolio and our reviews to learn more – or give us a call today.