Get ready to dive headfirst into the fundamentals of home improvement as we talk about the unsung heroes who bring our design dreams to life: general contractors. It’s no secret that choosing the right one can be a stress-inducing and expensive task. That’s why today I’m sharing with you the 7 questions you should always ask before hiring a general contractor.
My goal for this post is to arm you with all of the essential knowledge you need to make the right decisions for your home projects and to alleviate some of the stress that comes along with it. But remember, I’m not a licensed contractor myself, and this isn’t legal advice. I am, however, just a passionate interior designer eager to share my personal process for vetting general contractors for various home remodel and renovation projects.
1. Can I See Your Credentials, Please?
Before you let anyone swing a hammer in your home, ask for their credentials. A reputable general contractor will eagerly share their licenses, certifications, and insurances without any push-back. This is your assurance that you and your home is protected should anything go wrong (which it usually does).
As a rule of thumb, you should never start a project without requesting proof of license and insurances from any contractor your plan to work with. You also should inquire about their track record: How many projects have they successfully navigated? Are they affiliated with any professional organizations? How far in advance are they booked? Do they have a website?
Hiring a general contractor is a big decision, so take the extra step to make sure their credentials are in order.
2. What’s Your Design Style and Experience?
Your general contractor is an integral part of your design team. Ask about their design philosophy and experience with projects similar to yours. Whether you’re envisioning a sleek modern kitchen or a cozy, vintage-inspired living room, make sure they’re on the same page and have completed projects in line with your aesthetic. Otherwise, you could end up in a situation where the final product isn’t quite hitting the mark for all of your goals.
You also want to pay close attention to a contractor’s design suggestions. If they don’t feel right for you, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. Remember: not all contractors have a design eye – they’re implementers. Don’t expect a luxury designed and built home with someone who specializes in builder-grade projects.
3. How Do You Handle Permits and Building Codes?
Let’s talk about a really important aspect of construction: permits and building codes. Before your contractor starts knocking down walls, make sure they are well-versed in local regulations. Ask about their experience in obtaining permits, working with cities and local jurisdictions, and navigating the sometimes murky waters of building codes.
Why is this important, you ask? Because a contractor who cuts corners in this department might just lead you into a maze of legal headaches or unsafe work. So, while you’re chatting over the design plans, toss in a question about their permitting process. You’ll thank yourself later when your project sails smoothly and everything is completed to code.
4. Can You Provide a Detailed Estimate?
Before hiring a general contractor, ask them to provide a detailed estimate. Request that they break down the costs (materials, labor, and potential extras) so you can see how their estimation process works. This isn’t just about avoiding nasty surprises – it’s about understanding where your hard-earned money is going. And honestly, the transparency is good for your working relationship.
If your budget starts to feel like it is dwindling, then don’t be afraid to ask about potential cost-saving alternatives. A good contractor will offer insights into areas where you can trim the budget without sacrificing quality. Not all contractors will be willing to provide a super detailed breakdown, but run if they flat-out refuse to work with you when it comes to your budget.
5. How Do You Handle Changes and Challenges?
Achieving your design dreams isn’t unrealistic, but executing that vision sometimes involves unforeseen challenges. Ask your potential contractor about their approach to changes in the plan or unexpected roadblocks. Do they handle curveballs with a calm demeanor, or does chaos ensue?
While you’re at it, throw in a scenario question. What would they do if a shipment of custom tiles is delayed? How do they handle nitpicking the details you’ve labored over? Ideally, you want to find a contractor who can adapt to changes without compromising quality or attitude.
And last by not least, understand their internal process for documenting and issuing change orders. Make it clear that you don’t want any change in work to be done until you have personally approved the costs first. There is nothing worse than wrapping up a project and getting hit with thousands of dollars in fees because their change order process wasn’t clear.
6. How Do You Handle Subcontractors and Supervision?
Let’s peel back another layer of hiring a general contractor – subcontractors and supervision. Many projects involve a team of specialists, from plumbers to electricians to framers and painters.
Ask your contractor about their approach to managing subcontractors and how they handle no-shows on the job. Do they have secondary crews that can jump in to keep things on schedule? Or will no-shows cause significant delays to your timeline? What time will work commence and end? What days do they plan on working?
Additionally, inquire about on-site supervision. A working crew overseen by a contractor, project manager, or superintendent keeps your project on track and nips potential issues in the bud.
7. What’s Your Communication Style and Timeline Management?
Last but certainly not least, what can you expect with communication and project timelines? The heart of any successful project is about clear and consistent communication. Ask your contractor about their preferred communication channels and how often they’ll update you on progress. There is nothing worse than starting a project and your construction team goes cold turkey on all types of communication. Be sure to really understand who will be in contact with you and what you can expect throughout the length of your project.
Always (and I mean always!) request a physical copy of a project timeline. This can be in the form of a written week to week scope or as a construction Gantt chart. A contractor who refuses to provide a proposed timeline is a red flag, so it is really important to dig into their timeline management strategy.
Another important question to ask is how do they ensure that deadlines are met without compromising quality? Any contractor who can juggle multiple aspects of a project while keeping you in the loop is a valuable asset and should be treated as such. This is not to say that project calendars won’t change, but it does keep everyone on the job in the loop and on track to get their work done.
And there you have it – my top 7 questions you should ask before hiring a general contractor. I hope this post has been helpful and that I’ve alleviated some of the anxiety around the contractor selection process. At the end of the day, there are plenty of GC’s who are qualified to turn your vision into reality – you just have to do a little legwork to find the one that is the right fit for you and your needs.
What questions do you think are important to ask before hiring a contractor? Have you run into any issues because expectations weren’t clear? What extra advice would you give to someone searching for the perfect fit for their project? Share your advice below!
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