Construction Contractor
How To Hire A Construction Contractor?
About to build your dream home? Taking up a major home improvement project? Here, the most important 'make or break' decision on your part will be the hiring of a trustworthy, efficient and cost effective construction contractor. Most people take up one or at the most two such projects in their lifetime, and hence may be easily fooled by glib talk and confusing technicalities. Take the following tips to select the right contractor to build your home.
Personal recommendations: The age old and best method of finding out the efficiency of a person is to ask his clients. Get referrals from friends and neighbours who have got similar projects executed. You may also screen the Internet to get a few names of local operators.
Screen: After you have put together a short list, talk to a few of these construction contractors. Screen for licenses, personal liabilities and worker's compensation insurance. Select the ones who meet all the legal requirements. Then ask them for references from satisfied customers.
Verify: Don't hesitate to call up these customers to ask about the construction contractor's standard of work, commitment to deadlines and quality and overshooting of budget, if any. Most proud homebuilders would love to give you advice and tips. If possible, go and see the finished work. You will have a fair idea about the quality of work to expect. The personal visit may also give you valuable insights about the contractor.
Multiple bids: Take bids in writing from at least three candidates. Be cautious of seriously low bids as they may be a sign of inefficient estimates or desperate pitches. Make your own calculations to reach a fair price.
Assess your compatibility with the person in charge. This is vital as the person has to strike a balance between his professional competencies, assessment and your vision about your home. Again, you have to work together for several months, often disagreeing and arguing about issues. Clarify whether they are on other projects to understand whether they will be dividing their attentions, and to what extent.
Also clarify whether the construction contractor will personally supervise the site or assign it to a foreman. If yes, what is the competency of the foreman?
After you've made up your mind you should double check the original contractor's license and insurance documents. Insist on a written contract which should include:
- Names, addresses and work details.
- Materials to be used.
- Payments details and due dates.
- A proof of payment to sub contractors or release of lien in the contract
- Completion deadlines in phases, if possible.
Remember, you should not sign a statement of completion or should not make the final payment before final inspection. Finding a suitable construction contractor to build your dream home becomes easy, only if you know what to look out for.