If you’re starting a new project for your home, your first thought may be to hire a general contractor. A contractor is someone who oversees the preparations and assists with the project’s completion. However, sometimes hiring a contractor is like trying to find a good lawyer. You need to find one you can trust, but doing so may prove to be difficult.
Here are things you need to consider before getting a contractor for your house.
Be Certain of What You Want
Hiring a contractor can certainly help ensure the completion of the project. However, before looking up your area’s local contractors, you need to figure out what exactly you want to be done. This requires planning, brainstorming, and research.
Once you’ve figured out what you want to do, start contacting your area’s contractors. If you need help finding a contractor, CostCertified.com can help. All you’ll need to do is enter your email and wait for a response.
Gather Estimates
As you talk to various contractors, you’ll need to be given an estimate of how much they’ll cost. This is where things may become a bit difficult, especially since the price can vary. Keep in mind that contractors’ rates are based on the type of project being done, how long it takes, and the type of materials needed to complete the job.
Contractors generally charge their clients around 10 to 20 percent of the project’s total cost. If the project is small, like window installation, the cost won’t be exuberant. However, for larger jobs, like adding an addition to a home, you’ll need to review the estimates given carefully.
One thing to remember about hiring a contractor is that most of them will charge different rates. However, some like to grossly exaggerate the cost of their services by tacking on various fees.
As a result, this leads to receiving an inaccurate estimate. Accurate estimates play a vital role because it makes it easier for you to budget around it. Always trust your instincts when reviewing estimates. If something feels off, play it safe, and continue interviewing contractors.
Do Some Background Research
When looking for a contractor, it pays to know who you’re dealing with. Some contractors may sound friendly and open on the phone or even in person, for that matter. However, that may be an act to get you to spend more money.
This is why performing background research on the company is so important. Background research can be performed by reviewing feedback left by clients and the Better Business Bureau.
You’d be surprised how powerful customer feedback can be. Make sure always to weigh the positive reviews against the negatives. If there are more negatives than positive reviews, you should keep looking if there are more negative reviews than there are positives. As for the BBB, they can help see if any claims were filed against the contracting company for things like misconduct, botched jobs, and less-than-ideal service.
Finding a contractor may seem tough, but it’s worth finding one you can trust. Take your time and follow your gut instinct when choosing a contractor to get the job done.
Thank you for some of your valuable insights and fun facts of which I wasn’t aware of
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My sister is planning to renovate our kitchen, which is why she wants to hire a professional to achieve her desired kitchen look. Thanks for listing the things to consider when hiring a general contractor. With that said, I’ll then follow your tip to check a contractor on CostCertified.com to see if there are reputable ones operating in our area. https://www.sperryconstruction.com/about
This is a brilliant post, thank you for sharing about things you need to consider before getting a contractor for your house. We always tend to change something or the other in our house, thanks for this great advice.