Thursday, October 15, 2009

Better Home Building Contractors

If you need inspiration to begin remodeling your home, you’ve got a whole bunch of important questions and considerations to make including building contractors. It is best to have made some sketches and formulated a plan about what you want to gain from the project before you seek out a contractor. When you have it in your head what you want, then it’s time to start researching building contractors. Here’s a guide on how to find your way through the maze of choosing the best contractor for you.
  • Home Building Contractors
Make it sure to peruse a contractors directory online or look in the yellow pages. The Better Business Bureau, your local courts and an internet search should be enough to find out if there are any complaints against a specific contractor or a court case pending. In many cases you can even perform a background check, for a fee.

There are many companies on the internet that offer this service. Look for a building contractor with experience and knowledge in the kind of work you want done. Experience is very important when it comes to contractors and quality design construction.

You can also check vital information about independent contractors through your local or state licensing board, if contractors are required to be licensed in your state. It is extremely important to ensure that the contractors you are considering are properly licensed to do the kind of home construction work you need.

Not only check to see if they are licensed, but make sure that their license is current. Another thing most states require of contractors is insurance. Ask the contractors you are considering for your project to verify their insurance certification.

Once they have shown you, you still will need to call the insurance company and double check to make sure the policy is current.

  • Home Construction
Ask for and then follow up with checking their professional references. Ask for standard references as well as several references from projects that the contractor is working on currently; especially those that are similar to the work you want done.

When you talk to their references, ask if anything went wrong, and if so, how did the contractor make it right? Did the project come in on budget and on time? Would they recommend this building construction contractor?

Sit down and develop a clear description of your design construction, upgrade project, to include the quality of workmanship you expect, what materials will be used and other details. The better your ability to be clear and specific about your desires allows independent contractors to get a better picture of the project, and thus, a more accurate estimate.

It is also a good idea to be fairly flexible with your budget, if at all possible. If you are running on a shoe string budget, then ask the contractors that you interview how you can minimize costs without sacrificing quality.

  • Design Construction
Finally, negotiate a good contract. Always, always get a contract that is based on the completed, final cost of the project and not simply the estimate. Building contractors are notorious for adding fine print to the contract. Be meticulous about making certain that everything is included in the contract.

Be sure that all changes and costs, including those for building materials, are put in writing with a change order if any changes in the contract are made during the work process.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Popular Posts