What makes a good general contractor? To start with, we should probably break down what a general contract does. Their scope of work includes organizing all subcontractors, or the people who perform specific jobs during the construction or remodeling process, such as the window installation company, painters, tilers, and more. Your job is to keep your project on time and on budget. As with any job, there are good contractors and not-so-good contractors. Here are some things to consider when considering a company to remodel your home or build your new home:
1. Knowledge of Construction. If your general contractor isn’t familiar with construction, you won’t know if the subcontractors are doing a good job. Roof leaks, drafty doors and windows, interior leaks, and shoddy work can all occur if a contractor doesn’t know what to look for. Make sure whoever you hire has construction experience and understands how quality work is done. Ask questions before hiring someone.
2. Good communication skills. Remember, this is the person who will become your voice. He/she will communicate her vision and needs to everyone else who comes to work in her home. They need to understand what you’re looking for and then share it in a way that makes what you want happen.
3. A strong group of subcontractors. Most general contractors, who have been in business for a while, have a group of subcontractors that they work with on a regular basis. This means that there is trust and knowledge of how and how quickly they work. Things usually work better when people have worked together before.
4. Knowledge of the necessary permits for the area. Each state and city has different rules and regulations regarding construction and home additions/expansion. Some have to do with earthquake safety such as in areas running near fault lines, some have to do with storm protection for coastal areas. If your house is not built to code, you could be forced to tear it down. Construction within property lines is also critical. If you rebuild, at some point you will probably be responsible for eliminating all the hard work that went into building your home or addition.
5. Ability to save you money without compromising materials. Some people think they can save money by acting as their own general contractor. This is similar to people picking up a camera and thinking they are a photographer.
Contractors are trained to know what to look for. Your job is to organize and know what types of materials work and how they work together. His knowledge is invaluable when it comes to building a house. If you don’t have construction experience, you’ll probably save more money by letting a general contractor take over.
Building a house or adding to it is a significant financial investment. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. When you hire a contractor who can communicate for you and who you can trust, you’ll end up with the home you dreamed of, not a home that could fall apart at any moment.
