When a contractor is needed for a renovation of a room, office or home it’s important to choose the right one. There are numerous general contractors in any city and it can be very difficult to decide which company you want to work with. Here are five steps that will help you find the best general contractor for your project.
1. Choose a Contractor by Their Qualifications, Not Their Price Tag
A contractor who offers cheap prices may not actually offer quality services so their price tag isn’t everything when choosing the best general contractor for your project. You should instead focus on finding one with qualifications such as experience in renovations and good reviews online and offline from previous customers they worked with.
2. Ask for References
Another thing you should do while choosing a contractor is ask for references from previous customers who used their services so you can feel more comfortable about hiring them. Some companies may try not to give you any but if they don’t have any it’s definitely worth thinking twice about working with them because this means they’re not trustworthy enough to work with other people in the area. By looking up for reviews online you should be able to find out what other people thought of working with that company. If most of the reviews are negative then there might be some truth into it. You should never hire someone just because someone else did as each situation is different and it’s important to do your own research.
3. Find out What You Should Expect From Your Contractor
Before hiring anyone, it’s always a good idea to write up an agreement about what you expect from each other so there are no misunderstandings down the line. If something goes wrong, knowing exactly what you’re both responsible for will help speed up the resolution process and keep everyone on track. Of course, the best thing is having realistic expectations about how much work should be done in order to get your project done by a certain date but this isn’t always possible. Sometimes things take longer than expected due to miscommunications between clients and contractors or issues with supplies not being delivered at the right time – any number of reasons that are hard to predict.
4. Check Their License and Insurance Coverage
Last but not least, you need to make sure the contractor you choose has a valid license and they’re properly covered by insurance in case they break any rules or laws while doing your renovation project. If anything were to happen, knowing that they’re insured will ease your mind as it ensures that you won’t be responsible for everything if things go south. Of course, it’s important not only to check whether their license is still active but also who it comes from as there are some states where contractors can get licenses for different jobs so it’s possible for them to have one but not necessarily qualify for the type of work they’ll be doing on your project. You should also ask how long they’ve been in business so you can get a better idea of how reliable they are.
5. Finally, Always Get Everything in Writing or on Video So There Are No Misunderstandings Down the Line
Writing everything down before starting your project is very important because no matter what happens there will be less conflicts if all agreement points are written down and signed by both parties. If you’re working with a contractor who claims they have an issue writing things down then this should raise red flags as it may indicate that they’re not detail-oriented enough to handle such work and will most likely end up confusing themselves and wasting time along with yours. You can even save yourself some trouble by recording everything that’s discussed between the two of you on the phone or in person.
So, there you have it. These are the five essential steps to take when choosing a general contractor for your next home improvement project. By following these simple tips, you’re sure to find a qualified and reputable contractor who will complete your project on time and within budget. If you’re ready to get started now, give us a call today. Our team of experts would be happy to help you get started on your dream home renovation.
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.