What should I look for in a contractor?

Lowest Bidder -You want to make sure that the company you are about to work with is not the lowest bidder. The only way to be the lowest bidder is to cut corners to get the job done the way you want. It may look good on the outside but if corners are cut then your job will probably not be structurally sound and cause you problems down the road, not to mention the value of your project will be less than what you put into it. Get an estimate first!

Registered - Is this company registered with The State, The Better Business Bureau and The Home Builders Association?

References – One of the most important things you can do when hiring a General Contractor to come into your home is to first check their references. References are the best way to get to know your Contractor. Past and current clients can inform you of how the process of improving your home will flow from beginning to end. When you request a referral the things you should ask are; Is this company trustworthy, has this company met their deadlines and did they finish the project on time, was the original estimate accurate, how do they handle changes I would like to make during the project and most importantly would you hire them again. Get references!

Comfort - Make sure that you are comfortable with your General Contractor and that you can communicate what you are looking for in your project. Your GC should be able to give you ideas on how to improve your ideas and possibly save you money and time in the process.

Protective Services – When working in your home on a remodel project your house may be subject to dust, noise, debris, smell and other factors that can be unpleasant. Does the company offer protective services to minimize the impact on your existing living space and do they take into account your lifestyle and work around that.

What’s your process?

Get an estimate
Make sure your contractor is registered
Check their references
Be comfortable with your contractor
Make sure they have you in mind when working in your home.