Tackling a home renovation project on your own can be overwhelming. You might want to try to manage the remodeling project yourself thinking you will save money. But then you need to act as the general contractor, hiring specific tradespeople for each job and juggling schedules unsuccessfully. Rather than acting as your own general contractor and trying to manage all the subcontractors yourself, work with a reputable and reliable general contractor who can manage the project and keep you informed of its progress.
Finding an experienced general contractor (GC) can make all the difference between a successful home remodeling project and a long, drawn out disaster. An experienced GC can often get the job done faster, having access to loyal subcontractors who adhere to project schedules.
How do you find a reliable general contractor?
If you don’t want to experience a huge construction fail, here are 8 tips to help you choose the best contractor for your project and get the job done right.
Know what you want the project to look like
Have a clear idea in your own mind of the project you want done. Then pick a contractor that has experience in your project type. With today’s building codes, you want someone who understands the details of what is required.
Have pictures or sketches and discuss your options with the contractor. If you aren’t comfortable with their ideas, don’t be talked into it. Some contractors may be very good sales people and try to put more into the project than you want.
Get referrals
Research. Use the Web. Ask friends, family and neighbors about the home improvement contractors they have used. The best way to find a quality contractor is to get a referral from someone who has used the contractor before.
Check for proper licenses
Massachusetts requires general contractors to be licensed. Reputable contractors will display their licenses and certifications proudly on their website. If they don’t, ask to see a current Home Improvement Contractor certificate (HIC license) or registration with the state. If there is structural work involved, ask for a Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL). In order to pull a permit, the contractor has to have a CSL.
Never pull a permit in your name as the homeowner. You as a homeowners can pull certain permits on their primary residence but only for when you are doing the work yourselves.
Make sure they have the proper insurance
For your protection, make sure the contractor is fully insured. They need to carry:
- General liability, which protects your property from any accidental damage during the remodeling process,
- Workers compensation, which covers the tradespeople who are working on your project in the event of an accident.
If the general contractor cannot provide proof of carrying both general liability and workers compensation, you will be responsible for any accidents or damage during the construction project.
Ask for references
If you weren’t able to get a referral and had to choose from an online directory, make sure they have credible references. If a contractor is reluctant to give you references, be suspicious.
A reliable general contractor should have plenty of references who love to rave about their work. They should be easy to contact and should be willing and able to answer your questions and tell you about their experience.
Also check online reviews of the general contractor and see what is out there. A couple of negative reviews should not disqualify the GC. You can’t always please everyone all the time and if there are a lot of good reviews, take the negative review with a grain of salt. But you might want ask about the negative review and what happened.
Compare quotes
Get at least three and keep in mind that the cheapest quote isn’t always the best deal. Make sure you look at the whole package. Remember that you get what you pay for.
Consider your contract carefully
First make sure you ALWAYS get a contract for the project. If you’ve spoken to several contractors, you may not remember who told you what. Your contract should spell out exactly what will be done, including deadlines, payment terms and materials to be used.
Read it. Ask questions. Understand the terms and conditions. Seek legal counsel if necessary. Knowing what is in your contract means there should be no surprises.
Don’t succumb to signing pressure. A good contractor won’t ever pressure you anyway to sign something you aren’t sure of. Keep a copy for your records. When it comes to construction, never rely on verbal promises. And NEVER sign a blank contract.
Go with your gut
If you feel uncomfortable with a contractor (even if you don’t know why), follow your instincts and use someone else.