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How to Choose a Building Contractor
Planning a home construction? It can get very complicated, but as long as you begin right, there will be less issues along the way. Of course, what better way to begin a home construction project than to hire a good contractor. The question is how to know one.
License and Insurance
First and foremost, a good contractor will have a license and insurance. A license is proof of a contractor’s knowledge and credibility, and that he has the right industry experience and qualifications. A good contractor also has insurance to protect you against financial liabilities in case there are accidents on the job or if there are defects in the construction.
Specific Relevant Experience
There are lots of experienced contractors today, but you need someone with experience that is specifically relevant to the type of project you have in mind. For instance, if you’re the type of person who is meticulous about bathrooms, get someone who has a reputation for building excellent ones.
Certainly, you should also find someone who is open to your ideas and will gladly explain anything you may have trouble understanding. At the same time, they should give you professional recommendations with regard to affordability and functionality.
The contractor should be flexible enough to adjust to your reasonable preferences too. If, say, you only want the workers in your property from 8am to 4pm, there should be no issues with that. The idea is that you and the contractor are on the same page, or conflict can arise anytime.
Client References
Before hiring a contractor, ask for client references, talk to them, and pay their home a visit (with consent, of course). This is probably the best way of gauging the type of job that this professional is capable of. If you approach a contractor and he refuses to give references, that can only mean that he’s not confident about his work.
Detailed Written Contract
This document should cover all material and labor costs, including project start and end dates, and specifications. Having a contract is necessary for your own security. If, for example, your contractor promised on the contract that he would do something and he doesn’t do it, you can take him to court and do it.
Personal Connection
Lastly, you need a contractor you can actually get along with. Building a home takes months, which means that’s how long you’ll be putting up with a contractor you don’t like. If you two can’t get along, that can even cause concerns for the project. Imagine disagreeing with your contractor on something and ending up yelling at each other. That can delay the progress of the project and even increase your labor costs. For your own project’s sake, choose someone who can be your friend.
