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Choosing a Contractor
How to Choose a Contractor that will meet All
your Home Construction Expectations
By Mark J. Donovan
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Choosing a contractor for a home remodeling project can be quite the challenge.
Where do you look to find one, and how do you know your hiring a reputable
contractor, are two key questions that often come to mind when seeking out a
contractor. Hiring a contractor is effectively hiring an employee, and as a
result, it’s important that any prospective home remodeling contractor you
interview clearly understands this. Far too often the roles become reversed and
the contractor ends up driving the homeowner and dictating terms. True your
choosing a contractor for their expertise, and relying on their experience and
judgment to build your home or home addition correctly, however it is you who
are paying them and it’s important that both of you don’t forget this simple
fact. |
When searching for a contractor check with extended family or friends to see
if they know of any that they can recommend and vouch for. Reference checks are
key to choosing the right contractor. If your friends and family can’t offer up
any recommendations, check in your local phone book or do an internet search in
your local area for contractors.
Another popular alternative today for finding a contractor is to use a
contractor referral company such as Quinstreet or Renovation Experts. Both of
these companies maintain a national database of home remodeling contractors that
they have thoroughly screened and done background checks on. To use one of these
companies simply fill out one of their free online home improvement forms, and 3
to 4 contractors in your local area that are affiliated with them will get in
touch with you. There is no cost or obligation to you to use anyone of their
contractors. However, you can be assured that they have undergone significant
background checks prior to inclusion in their national database.
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The next stage in choosing a contractor is to provide each prospective
contractor with information about your home remodeling or construction project.
Once they’ve reviewed your project information they should provide you with
detailed quotes that include costs breakdowns, schedules, and specific materials
to be used. The contractor bids should also include information about their
businesses, including copies of their state contractor licenses and insurances,
and a reference list. Any contractor that fails to provide this type of
information in their bid should be eliminated from your list of potential
contractors. |
After reviewing and comparing contractor bids, the next step in choosing a
contractor is to call the references. I highly recommend calling at least 3
references. Ask the references would they hire the contractor again. Also ask
them what they liked best and least of the particular contractor. With these
three simple questions you should be able to quickly formulate an opinion if
whether or not a contractor is right for your project. Also don’t hesitate to
call your state contractor licensing agency or Better Business Bureau for
additional background checks.
Finally, after reviewing all of the bids and checking references, choose a
contractor that best meets your budget and schedule, and that had very favorable
references. Be prepared to have to pay some initial deposit as part of signing
the contractor’s contract. By following this simple procedure when choosing a
contractor you should improve your chances of a successful home remodeling or
construction project.
How to Hire the Right
Home Building Contractor - Know what questions to Ask!
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New Home Construction Bid Sheet
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Planning
to build your dream home and want to be your own General Contractor or looking to hire one? Do you know what questions to ask to ensure your
hiring the right contractor for your project? The New Home Construction Bid Sheet from
HomeAdditionPlus.com provides an extensive contractor questionnaire, to
help you ask the right questions to potential contractors, thus ensuring
you get the home completed properly and on time and budget. In addition,
it provides estimated home building costs and time intervals for each
phase of the home building project, as well as extensive advice for the
homeowner.
How to Finance your Home Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Additional
Home and Building Resources
Free Room Addition
Price Quotes with No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
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contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once
you receive your room addition price estimate.
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