How To Choose the Right General Contractor for Your Community
When beginning a new construction project for your community, it’s crucial to find the best general contractor. Picking the right people to take charge of your project will save you hassle, time, and money if things are done correctly the first time around. This will be the most important decision you make in the entire process.
At Coastal Reconstruction Group, we understand how hard it can be knowing where to start. Here are three fool-proof tips to help you choose the right general contractor.
1. They Come Highly Recommended
Start your search by looking at highly recommended general contractors, either online or in person. Do any of your acquaintances have any connections they highly recommend? Look them up on Google and read reviews. As you read reviews online, or hear someone’s experience with a general contractor, try to gauge if they were able to communicate effectively. See if the contractor listens to their client’s request, and if their previous customers would use them again for a following project.
It’s important to hire someone that you can build a professional relationship with and cultivate trust. As you contemplate who to choose as your general contractor, it’s critical to review their previous clients’ testimonies before making a decision. Look for reviews that are happy with the completion of their job, and customers that can testify whether it was done in a timely manner.
2. Do Your Research
In addition to researching recommendations, you can further your investigation. Feel free to call or schedule a phone interview to ask your potential general contractor some essential questions. Those questions may look like this:
• How long have you been in business? • Have you completed a job like this before? • How much experience do you have with (whatever your project entails)? • What efforts do you take to make sure your job site remains safe and clean for our residents, clients, customers, etc.?
In addition to a phone interview, you can investigate the facts. Check out their website and get a feel for who they are and what they do best. Businesses can be looked up using the Better Business Bureau, better known as the BBB, to gather a range of information, including reviews, complaints, directories, and reports, amongst other documents.
Ensure you are hiring the right general contractor by doing background checks, calling references, guaranteeing that they come licensed and insured. Ask for referrals for other clients who’ve had projects that are the same size or similar renovation idea that they’ve performed. A skilled general contractor should have a portfolio of prior jobs they would be proud to share.
3. Beware of Low Bids
Lastly, don’t let price be your guide. Have you ever heard the saying, “You get what you paid for”? When it comes to choosing the right general contractor, cheapest is not always the best choice. It might be exciting to get an inexpensive quote, but beware of the lowest bid. When you are hiring a contractor, base your choice on their broad knowledge and experience. It’s important to line up their skills with your project needs so that your renovation or restoration can be successfully accomplished. Make sure all your expectations are communicated accurately and your general contractor fully understands your purpose and “the why” of your project.
In conclusion, choosing the right general contractor depends on many factors. Choose someone with integrity and who communicates honestly. They should come with an excellent reputation. Research, ask for referrals, and don’t base your decision solely on price.
If you are in need of a general contractor, give us a call at 877.708.5501. When you are about to spend the next 3-12 months with someone in your community, disrupting life as usual, be sure you know who you are about to partner with well before you start this process. We’d love to answer any questions you may have (and be your partner for the duration of the project!
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