Things to Consider Before Hiring a General Contractor

If you're considering a major renovation, hiring a general contractor might be the best way to go. They can save you a lot of time and headache, and can work with you to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget. But before you hire your new contractor, you should consider a few things.

First, you should ask your contractor about their certifications and credentials. This is important because you want to make sure you have someone working on your property with the proper licensing and insurance.

You should also look for a contractor who has a solid reputation. Ask about their certifications, the quality of their work, and their past projects. It's also worth asking for their recommendations. The more glowing reviews they have, the better.

You might also want to ask your contractor if he has a solid payment plan. Payment schedules should include due dates and payment amounts. Make sure you get a written lien waiver, which is a document that verifies your payments to your contractor.

Aside from being an effective way to ensure you don't miss a bill, a lien release protects your home from unpaid bills. And if the contractor isn't licensed or insured, you could be on the hook for a lot of money.

Another good reason to hire a general contractor is because they can help you get a building permit. Contractors are able to handle most of the day-to-day operations of construction, from scheduling to ordering supplies to supervising workers.

During your initial meeting with a prospective contractor, you should tell them about your budget. The richmond general contractor should be able to give you a fair estimate of what the job will cost you. Depending on the type of work you have in mind, you might want to budget a bit more than you think.

There are a few other questions you should ask to make sure your contractor is the right fit for your home. Some of these include how many employees they have, if they are licensed, and how often they do check-ins with you.

Also, be sure to ask the aforementioned if they have a lien waiver or any other form of insurance. Not all contractors have them, and you don't want to be on the hook for a bill when you find out they don't.

Of course, you'll also need to look for a general contractor with the necessary experience to do the job. Often, a smaller company relies more on a staff carpenter, while a larger firm might use subcontractors.

Finally, it's a good idea to ask your contractor about his or her construction process. You may want to inquire about how the contractor framed the whole project, the process for obtaining a building permit, or what materials and labor will be used. In addition, you might want to ask about the contractor's daily check-ins and communication with subcontractors.

Whether you decide to hire a general contractor or go it alone, you can't go wrong if you take the time to get to know your contractor well. Get a general overview of the topic here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction.