Hiring the right general contractor to work with is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. A general contractor is a construction company whose role is to manage, supervise, and oversee every aspect of the construction project. The success of your project, therefore, depends on the kind of contractor you hire. Hiring the wrong construction company could cost you thousands of dollars in delays and mistakes. You want to avoid making the following mistakes when hiring a general contractor for your home renovation.
Choosing the Lowest Price
A home renovation or new construction can be expensive. You’re working hard to make sure your project is completed successfully, within budget and on schedule. When shopping around for contractors, you may be tempted to select the company with the lowest bid so you can save money. Well, cheap doesn’t always mean quality service. You could end up spending more in repairs due to poor quality service. Look for a combination of excellent value, high-quality service, and reasonable pricing instead.
Failure to Ask for Guarantees or References
The process of hiring a contractor takes time. Ask the contractor to provide you with plenty of references so you can verify the quality of their service from past clients. Check out the most recent ones. Find out who offers the contractor guarantee for their work. A reputable and experienced contractor should be confident enough to guarantee their work.
Not Getting into the Specifics
You’re the one who conceived the project and it’s important to make sure the contractor gets every detail. You also want to get as much detail from the contractor as possible. Find out how long they have been in business and if they’ve worked on a similar project before. What’s their work history? How does the contractor charge for construction projects? Do they have any legal disputes? Get all your questions rightfully answered.
Not Getting a Written Agreement
Both parties are agreeing to certain obligations, which is why a contract is necessary. The contractor is expected to successfully complete the project while you’re supposed to pay them on schedule. A written agreement approved and signed by both you and the contractor is, therefore, important. It should contain the scope of work, payment terms, general plans, commencement date and time of completion, and other clauses. Take time to review the documents before signing.
Getting Lured by Great Deals
Don’t be surprised when you come across some underground construction companies with some great deals for your project. Such companies care less about their reputation and are likely to disappoint. They’ll claim to offer discounts or have a low pricing when in real sense are planning to use low-quality materials and cut corners with your project. Don’t hire someone disreputable, regardless of their offer. Spare yourself a nightmare.
Your goal should be to hire a qualified contractor who’s the best fit for your specific needs and expectations. Don’t just hire someone because you like them or are related to you. Avoid the mistakes mentioned about and you’ll have a good experience with your construction project.