5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Contractor
Planning to construct a new house or renovate the one you are living in? Well, we know that the most difficult choice to make is about a reliable contractor. We always look for professional and licensed contractors for our projects. We have come up with a shortlist of 5 questions you should always ask a contractor before hiring one. This way, you can compare the responses of all the potential contractors and make a wise choice.
What Is Your Background & Experience In The Construction Industry?
Ask the contractor about his experience. You can also get a list of projects for reference. You can also ask the customers about the facility provided by the contractor and the level of satisfaction they got. If a contractor is well experienced, he can be a good fit. A contractor having more than 5 years of experience has a built-up network of subcontractors and suppliers. It will help in analyzing and choosing the best fit for your project.
What Is Your Bid For The Project?
Ask the contractor for an estimated price of the project. When the contractor offers an estimated price, make sure you ask for a detailed version. As a result, this helps you in cutting down item-wise costs. Also, take care of the hidden charges. If the contractor says that the bills and payments may increase, beware of this fact. Also, do not hesitate in asking additional questions if you are confused about any additional costs. This can also help you in comparing costs among contractors.
What Will Be Your Responsibilities?
Ask the contractor about his duties and guarantees. Make sure to discuss things about who will get all the approvals and permits. Try to move the whole legal mess into his court. This way, you will find yourself at ease. He will bear all the additional costs and time required for obtaining building permits. Secondly, clarify things about who will purchase the raw material. Usually, contractors get material at a discount from wholesale suppliers. So, this can pave the way towards cost-cutting and lesser headaches. Along with this, ask about the guarantee of breakage. In case there is any damage during construction/renovation, who will be responsible for it?
What is the timeline for the project?
Ask the contractor about the estimated period he needs for the completion of your project. Keeping in mind all the possible ifs’ and buts’, an experienced contractor can always give a specific timeline for your project. Also, you can ask for a proper stepwise timeline. This will give you a detailed view of the completion of every milestone. It will also help you in keeping a track of regular progress.
Do You Have A License?
A few states demand the registration of contractors. Inquire about your state bylaws and figure this out. Ask the contractor whether he is registered or not. Also, you can ask for his license number. Professional contractors are usually registered. This step can protect you. If the authority has licensed your contractor, it is a plus point for you. It implies that he has proven his knowledge and skill to the authorities.
Hello! I am Brian Marshal, the owner of Pherian LLC situated in Tampa, Florida. I am fortunate to be born and bought up in this country and passionately believe that America is a land of plentiful power and resources. We need your ability to use your best judgment. Collecting resources and making a wise choice after analysis can protect you and your finance. After years of experience in the construction business, I believe that a good contractor is the one who can give you a tension-free project
