Deciding to build a new home or remodel your existing home is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your lifetime. It is a large financial and emotional investment, and it can also be a major investment of your time, depending on how involved you want to be in the decision making process. Hiring a great contractor can make a world of difference in this journey. Here are ten questions that every homeowner should ask a contractor before beginning a home construction project:
1. Are you licensed? The answer to this question should always be a firm “yes”. Most unlicensed contractors are not bonded or insured, which puts the homeowner at more risk. So although the price of an unlicensed contractor may seem attractive, hiring a licensed contractor offers protections to the property owner. In North Carolina, any project totaling over $30,000 requires the use of a licensed contractor.
2. How much experience do you have in the construction industry, specifically local to this area? While experience does not always mean better service, a contractor who has been around long enough will be able to handle challenges and provide more expertise than a less experienced contractor. Additionally, if a contractor has been plying his trade locally for longer than five or ten years, they have likely built up a network of reliable suppliers and subcontractors. This makes them much more appealing than a contractor that needs to drive 20 or 30 miles every day to your job site.
3. Can you provide a list of your preferred suppliers and subcontractors? A contractor is only as good as the materials and laborers that he employs. You want to make sure that your contractor uses subcontractors with experience and a reputation for quality workmanship. Additionally, ask for a list of suppliers. Contractors network with many of their suppliers, so you can gain valuable insight regarding a contractor’s reliability as well as the types of materials they commonly use. Also, inquire about the contractor’s professional reputation, whether he is reliable in paying his bills, and what his previous customers have to say about him. All of these things will have a huge impact on whether or not he is someone that you would like to hire.
4. Can you provide a list of references? This goes along with #3. Truthfully, if a contractor says no you should probably run far, far away. Just like hiring a new employee, (which is exactly what you are doing when you hire a contractor!) you should ask for a list of references and CONTACT them! A contractor should be able to provide you with two or three good references to give you a feel of whether or not they have happy customers. Look for a later blog post on specific questions you should ask them!
5. What is the projected timeline for this project? Again, don’t go crazy with this question, but a reliable contractor should be able to give you a reasonable time frame. You want an answer that is specific (six to eight months) rather than a general “in a year or so” type of answer. There are always unexpected issues that arise, but a good contractor will be able to tell you along the way how much a problem affects your projected completion date. There are some cases where your timeline estimate will be way off, especially in remodeling situations, as there is no way to know of hidden damage or additional work that lies behind existing walls or floors. Regardless, your contractor should always communicate to you when these types of setbacks occur.
6. How often will you stop by the job site to check in on progress? This is huge. You need to be assured that someone is on-site frequently to track the progress of your project. The bottom line is you need to be sure that the contractor is going to pay attention to what is happening on the job site. From the start, you should establish a timeline for them to give you updates, which leads me to our next question…
7. How often will you provide me with updates? This question goes hand-in-hand with #6. Your contractor should be checking in on your job site enough to provide you with detailed updates. Our suggestion is weekly updates at minimum. In the beginning stages, every two weeks may be enough for you, but when the finish line is in sight, you may want more frequent updates. Again, all of this should be discussed up front with your contractor.
8. Will you offer any type of guarantee or warranty on your work? The answer to this questions should be a firm yes, followed by a specific amount of time (six months, one year, etc). Most contractors will give a one-year warranty, and will include this in your contract. This should definitely be discussed up-front. At the end of the warranty period, be sure to have a list of items that need to be addressed and request a walk-through of your house to show your contractor. Be advised, normal home maintenance won’t be covered under warranty. For example, failure to change your air filters monthly could cause HVAC problems that won’t be covered under your contractor’s warranty.
These eight questions are just a starting point for choosing your contractor. Keep in mind that choosing the right contractor can help you realize your home building and renovation dreams, rather than bring your nightmares to life. If you are interested in starting a project soon, please contact us! We would love the opportunity to work with you!
Braswell Custom Homes and Remodeling 