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Whether you’re fixing your home or having a room added to your house, it’s always important to ask the essential questions before hiring a contractor. It’s a big financial investment. It can financially damage those who don’t choose their contractor wisely. And because the well-being of your home is in the hands of these contractors, you want to make sure it’s well taken care of.

Are you licensed? It’s smart to keep in mind that not all states require their contractors to be licensed. If this applies to your state, make sure you hire a licensed contractor. If you hire someone who’s unlicensed, you can’t resolve the problem legally if your house is damaged or incomplete.

Do you belong to any Professional company or organization? Although unnecessary, a contractor joining an association shows their commitment and professionalism. This means they’ve probably been offered additional training in an area specific to their specialty.

Do you have references? If a contractor doesn’t provide you with references or is uncomfortable with the idea, don’t even waste your time. Asking previous clients about the contractor you’re about to hire ensures that their professional and reliable for your project.

Do you have an estimate? While some projects can’t properly be estimated due to hidden damages or unexpected problems, any experienced contractor should be able to give you an estimated time of completion for the project you need done.

What will our schedule be? Scheduling doesn’t just involve a start date and an end date. A schedule involves tasks and sequences and different deadlines for different parts of the projects. Schedules wil also act as a benchmark that’ll allow you to know if things are going wrong if the schedule is behind.

Who will be here every day? Keep in mind that this answer could vary depending on the size of the company you’re hiring from. Be up front and ask who exactly will be opening and closing up the house. Ask who will be supervising and who you can call on a regular basis to keep in touch (this person should be able to consistently keep in touch with you throughout the duration of the project).

How will you communicate with me? With several methods of communication, you might have a certain preference as to how you want to communicate with your contractor. Make sure you have a good handle on how communication will be handled between the two of you, whether it is emails or just phone calls. Always be sure to start with a schedule that lists days and times your contractor’s workers will be working on site.

These questions are essential to ask before hiring a contractor. With these helpful questions, you’re sure to hire a professional who can successfully help and complete the project you need done

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Homeowners ready to tackle a big remodeling project need to decide whether they have the skills, tools and time to do the work themselves. If they do not, then hiring a qualified general contractor is the best choice. A home improvement gone wrong can cost serious money or leave property owners with unfinished work or incompetent construction.

General contractors look at the big picture and they work with homeowners throughout the entire project. They may hire and supervise subcontractors for specialty trades during the construction process. One of the best things about working with a general contractor is the knowledge that they have relationships with the best subcontractors and trades in the business.

To find the best general contractor, check with others who have had similar home improvement work done. Check out the contractors’ reputations online with the Better Business Bureau and other rating sites. Get detailed written estimates from at least three contractors. Remember that the lowest bid may not be the best bid. Ask the contractor why their bid was lower than the competitors.

A general contractor should have a thorough knowledge of the construction and remodeling industry standards and they should have good project management skills. They need to be licensed and insured, and they should carry worker’s compensation insurance. A homeowner acting as their own general contractor takes on all liability for property damage and injury that may occur during their project.

Part of a general contractor’s responsibilities includes overseeing the work of subcontractors. The general contractor must ensure that any errors during construction are fixed with no additional cost to the project. They must know the appropriate building codes, materials, methods and safety guidelines. Good contractors will keep everything on schedule and that the workers are busy throughout the process. General contractors will obtain any necessary permits before starting a job and they will arrange for necessary inspections and approvals from the code regulators.

Homeowners should include payment arrangements in their contract with the general contracting company. The contractor should be willing to accept a reasonable but small down payment, with incremental payments for completion of specified milestones throughout the building process.

Homeowners should not make the final payment or sign any completion paperwork until they are completely satisfied with the results. Often, the general contractor and the homeowner will have a completion check list including the standards for completion. Get proof that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid by the general contractor and get a lien release or lien waiver from each before releasing the final payment. The general contractor should provide written warranties for their work and materials in the project.

Ultimately it is the homeowner’s decision whether to use a general contractor. One final thing to consider is how much worry and stress a contractor can take away from the homeowner during the construction or remodeling process. A general contractor might make it easier for the owners to relax and enjoy the results.

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