Hiring a contractor for the first time can be stressful if
you don't know what you're doing. You want to make sure your kitchen or bathroom remodel or
other project goes off without a hitch.
We understand that stress. That's why we put together this
list of some important questions to ask a general contractor before hiring
them. Read on to learn what kind of questions are important to ask before
agreeing to work with a contractor!
Often, contractors will give you a bottom-line price for the
bid. By asking for an itemized list, you get a clearer picture of exactly what
they are charging for the work and materials. You don't want to be in the dark
about what your contractor is charging for each part of the job.
An itemized list helps you compare bids from different
contractors more effectively, understanding exactly what is making up the final
total. It also gives you an idea of potential places you may be able to work
with the contractor to save money on your project. If a particular part of the
job is more expensive than you thought, there may be an alternative design or
material that could lower your costs a bit.
Some of the things you may expect broken down include:
- Framing and finish work
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Electrical and lighting fixtures
- Painting and drywall
- Demolition and trash removal
- Floor coverings
An itemized list sets the expectation of transparency for
the contractor and may come in handy later in case of a dispute.
When you receive a bid, it's important to understand whether
or not the price they are giving you is an estimate or a fixed-price. With an
estimate, you really have no way of knowing exactly what you could end up
paying once the job begins.
Accepting a lower bid that you didn't realize was an
estimate over a higher one from another contractor that was a fixed-price bid
could end up costing you more if the contractor underestimated your
project.
If they say it's an estimate, you can ask for a fixed-price
bid instead. The contractor may say they can't because the project has too many
unknowns. In this case, you can try to work with the contractor by asking them
what the unknowns are and if there is any way to eliminate them before work
begins.
You'll want to do a little research into what the licensing requirements are in
your local area. Once you have an idea, you'll want to ask every contractor you
interview about their license. Hiring someone without a proper license is just
asking for things to go poorly.
Making sure they are insured is just as important, if
not more so. If something goes wrong during the job, you want to make sure you
aren't stuck with the bill or the liability. Ask to see their certificate of
insurance to make sure you're not getting into a bad arrangement.
Whether permits are required for a particular construction
or remodeling project can vary. Often it is up to the specific laws of your
local municipality, but as a general rule, permits are probably required if the
work stands to change the structure of your home.
A good contractor will be knowledgeable about permit
requirements in your area and will often be willing and able to pull them for
you.
Now that you know some of the questions to ask a
general contractor before accepting a bid, you're ready to get rolling on your
remodel! We'd love to answer any additional questions you have and work with
you to get your home looking the way you want it to.
Contact us today to set up a free consultation!
