How to select a general Home Contractor

Thinking about beginning a home renovation project? For many home owners the biggest challenge to starting a home project, weather it be installing a new bathroom tub, knocking down walls, or building a new home is hiring the right general home contractor to take care of your home from start to finish.

Hiring the wrong general contractor can result in hiring another contractor to fix the first contractors mistakes, going over budget with estimates, additional damage to the home or exterior, going way over allotted timeframe for completion, or even a contractor who a no show after starting the project.

Home remodeling and renovation can be stressful even with a perfect contractor things can still go wrong. A common complaint from most homeowners is noise and dust/debris that the homeowner did not expect. A good contractor also may run into wiring that or plumbing issues that is not up to code and will have to be added on to the project scope increasing expense and time.

Selecting the right home contractor for you home renovation project will make the difference between a pleasant home renovating project and a total nightmare. Here are some tips that when followed will help you weed out the incompetent general home contractors from the seasoned and highly skilled home contractors.
 
 

Tips to follow to selecting a general home contractor

Ask around for references
Your friends, coworkers, or neighbors may have recently undergone a home renovation project and are a great source for referrals. Determine weather they had a good home building experience with the contractor or not. Ask if the contractor was professional, cleaned up after themselves, and completed the project on time. Another good place to ask for referrals are local hardware stores.

Check reviews
Online can be a great source for reviews regarding your local contractor. Never hire a contractor that does not have any reviews…. The BBB (Better Business Bureau) offers reviews and client testimony and can be a great source for information. You may also want to check local court records if you suspect any dishonesty or are getting a bad vibe.

Verify the contractor
General home contracting in the state of Florida requires a license. Verify that the general home contractor is up to date on their license, check your state laws to determine if general home contractors licensure if you are not in the state of Florida.

Get an Estimate
Budget is everything and you should always prepare for 10-15% additional than what is estimated. General home contractors can’t see through walls so it’s impossible to give a 100% accurate estimate. More times than not, older homes have issues with foundations, plumbing, or wiring that must be addressed throughout the construction process. This does also mean that you should never accept an estimate that completely consumes your home renovation budget.

Have the Contractor Pull All Permits
You should be wary of general home contractors who tell you that you do not need permits, or ask you to pull your own permits. It is the responsibility of the contractor to not only make sure all needed permits are pulled, but also that all work completed is up to code. Nearly all home renovation projects require at least one permit, if not more. If construction begins on your home without the proper permits, you will be subjected to being fined.

Review the Contract
Before you sign the contract, carefully review the contract. The contract should clearly define, time frame, budget, materials, and payment schedules. Don’t be afraid to amend a contract when there is holes or have your own contract drafted.

We hope these tips help you find the perfect contractor for your home project and that you will have a pleasant experience through the construction period. We also hope that if you’re in the Jacksonville, Florida area you will keep us in mind for your next project. Remember to keep checking in for more home construction tips and tricks. Next we will be covering some inspirational home enhancements.