5 Questions to Ask Your Residential Contractor Before You Start

A dependable contractor who is determined to watch the project succeed from the start to the end can be difficult to locate but not if you follow the right procedure. You will need to ask the right questions if you want to know whom you will be dealing with from the beginning.

Depending on the type of project you are currently focusing on, you may be dealing with this contractor on a regular basis so it’s important to find someone you can get along with. That said, here are some 5 questions you need to ask the residential contractor before hiring.

Do they have the required licenses and insurance?

Licensing and insurance are very important aspects and you shouldn’t consider dealing with contractors who do not fulfil these 2 major requirements. Remember that your home insurance is unlikely to cover any damages or injuries of workers and you may have to pay for these expenses from your own pockets if you hire people who are not fully covered.

Have they worked on similar construction projects?

You will certainly have to go through their portfolio to find out if they have worked on similar projects before. Get an idea of what their skill levels as contractors and ask them to give you 3 contacts of their references to whom you can speak and find out more about the services rendered. Don’t just trust the images you see on their site, take the background checks to a different level by calling the people they claim to be their previous clients.

  

Who will be managing the project?

Most construction companies have a project management team that ensures the project runs according to plan. It’s important to find out if the residential contractor will have a supervisor or manager that handles all the aspects of the project. Some small construction companies have most of their team members working on site and are likely to provide a better service.

When is the project likely to start and end?

The start and end dates can only be communicated to you after you have given the contractor more details on the work you want done. They should provide realistic timelines and also indicate the penalties that will be imposed if they fail to meet the deadlines. The fact that the contractor will be ready to commit themselves to a certain timeline is a good sign of their workmanship.

How are complaints handled?

Construction companies have different ways of handling complaints. You need to consider what the business values are and whether they are inclined towards focusing on the needs of the customer. Any business that puts their customers first will be ready to handle complaints with the professionalism and grace that is desired. You don’t need to be involved in unnecessary arguments with your contractor. Contractors who value strong communication lines with their customers are usually the best to work with. The best potential contractors should be able to work with you to bring your vision into life. 

Posted By: Bruce Johnson Residential Contractor Inc.  http://bjrcinc.com