Whatever you’re hiring a general contractor for, you want to be sure that they are trustworthy and capable of delivering a performance worthy of your project, and of their final bill. But, with so many contractors out there all claiming to be able to offer you the same standard of service, how you can you be sure that the one you eventually choose, is the best general contractor for the job?
While you may never be able to know for certain whether a general contractor is 100% reliable and trustworthy when you hire them, there are some strong indicators to look out for which could mean you’ve chosen well, and here are 7 of them:
- They’re experienced
From basic repairs to being able to design and construct a home, a general contractor with plenty of experience is a sure sign that you’ve found a good one. While it is possible for them to fabricate their level of experience, you should easily be able to check and verify this through their previous projects etc.
2. They’ve got a good reputation
By speaking to former clients of the general contractor, you can easily discover what their reputation is like. Make it your business to check with the Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, too, to give you a well round and well-informed view of how they and their work are perceived by others.
3. They can communicate with you well
If your chosen general contractor has been keeping you informed about the project from the get go, and responds swiftly to any queries or concerns you might have, that’s half of the battle won. Not all general contractors are good communicators, but it really is a necessity for all but the smallest of home improvement projects.
4. They listen when needed
A general contractor may have many great ideas and lots to talk to you about, but if they don’t listen to you and your thoughts and concerns from the outset, they could risk you not being satisfied with the end result, or worse, costing you money that you don’t have.
5. They’re willing to stick to the agreed contract
You must make a formal agreement for things such as cost, timelines and materials well in advance of any work being carried out, to prevent the project from running over budget, taking longer than anticipated, or nit being completed to your satisfaction. If you’ve found a good general contractor, they will uphold the contract to the letter.
6. They’re flexible
This can apply both to the general contractor’s skills, and to their ability to adjust a schedule when needed, especially if unexpected delays have occurred. If this means putting in extra hours, or calling up different sub-contractors, so be it.
7. They have integrity
Never over-charging a customer, sticking to what they promise, and standing by the work that they or their sub-contractors have carried out, are signs that your general contractor has integrity; a valuable asset to have, especially when you consider that they’re often responsible for significant amounts of their customers money.
If you’ve selected a general contractor who is showing none of the signs above, or not enough of them to satisfy you, don’t be afraid to start your search all over again. After all, your money and home will be in their hands for a certain period of time, so while there may always be some degree of uncertainty surrounding who you hire, if they can meet all of the criteria above, then you should be on course for some exemplary home improvements.