How Do I Pick A Contactor For My Project?

When it comes to major renovations, selecting the right general contractor is crucial. The outcome of your project, as well as the safety and security of your home and family, depend on the contractor you choose. Here are a few important factors to consider when selecting a general contractor for your renovation project.

1. Size of Staff: A contractor with more staff is safer than one with less. If a company has 10 employees, it’s harder for them to close up shop and run away. This is something to keep in mind when looking at the size of a contractor’s staff. It also tells you how much the contractor can delegate. If it’s all on one person’s head, they’re more likely to drop the ball if they get busy. But if the work can be delegated, the contractor can hire more people to take on more roles.
2. Project Management Method: It’s important to know how a contractor manages their projects. At Home Love Construction, for example, they demand that subcontractors send them pictures at the end of every day. If they don’t, there’s a conversation when it comes time to pay them. This is a point of ethics to make sure subcontractors aren’t leaving the job site a mess.
3. Pricing: It’s important to know how quickly a contractor can get you pricing. If they can’t give you pricing rapidly or don’t know what things cost, that’s an indicator that they haven’t done the work they’re talking about before. At Home Love Construction, they have a formula card that has the prices of everything they standardly pay. They update it every two weeks as prices change, but they know where to get the information from because they buy materials all the time.
4. Itemized Budget: It’s important to know if a contractor can give you an itemized budget. This means they can tell you how much your trusses, plywood, and roofing will cost, for example. If a contractor just gives you a contract with one lump sum, that’s a red flag. At Home Love Construction, they have a rule that giving a vague or unclear scope of work is a criminal act. They have to be specific and their production team won’t accept a vague scope.
5. Organization: The organization level of contractors is important. If they’re not organized, little things are more likely to slip through the cracks. Make sure the contractor you choose is organized and can keep track of all the details.
6. Communication: Communication is key when it comes to a renovation project. Make sure the contractor you choose is good at communicating and keeping you informed about the progress of the project. They should be responsive to your questions and concerns.
7. Insurance: It’s important to know if a contractor has liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. This protects you if something goes wrong on the job site.
8. License and Permits: Make sure the contractor you choose is licensed and has all the necessary permits to do the work. This is important for legal and safety reasons.
9. References: Ask for references and check them. Make sure the contractor you choose has a good reputation and a track record of happy customers.
10. Trust your gut: In the end, trust your gut. If something feels off about a contractor, it probably is. Go with a contractor you feel comfortable with and trust to do a good job.

In conclusion, selecting the right general contractor for your major renovation is crucial. Keep in mind factors like the size of staff, project management method, pricing, itemized budget, organization, communication, insurance, license and permits, references and always trust your gut instincts.