What to look for in a general contractor

No matter how useful you are with power tools, there will come a time when you will need to enlist the services of a general contractor. Sure you can take pride in your ability to handle even the most complex construction tasks or your entire collection of brilliant, well-maintained tools. But if you are like most homeowners, you will eventually come across a construction or renovation job that is simply beyond your capabilities or your toolbox. It is during these same occasions that you will need a general contractor.

Unfortunately, the task of finding a qualified contractor is easier said than done. For every qualified general construction contractor, many more can ruin the job! It is a long and arduous path to becoming a general contractor, and relatively few are qualified. However, there are general contractors who can help you make your construction plans. You simply have to know what to look for in a qualified contractor. Here are some ideas:

Good references

The first thing you will want to look for in a general contractor is a set of good references. If you know someone who has recently done construction work, it can be a valuable source of referrals for good contractors. This will also give you an opportunity to find out first hand from the actual customer how well a particular contractor performed the job.

If you can't get good references from people in your immediate circle, you'll have to ask somewhere else. Ask the staff at architecture, design or even construction supply companies for any recommendations they can give you. Keep in mind, though, that the tracks you do extract from third parties will be much more difficult to verify, so you will have to work hard to ensure that the recommended contractors can meet your expectations.

History of successfully completed jobs

Once you have obtained some references, you can start exploring each option in detail and examine the history of each possible candidate. Ask to see any construction work they have done in the past, or request the contact information of customers for whom they have recently done work. If the contractor you are considering has a good business record, there will be no shortage of previous clients who will be willing to give favorable testimonials. If the contractor you are considering cannot provide a list of satisfied customers, this probably means one of two things: inexperience in the construction field or a less than stellar record in the industry. In any case, it would probably be better to look for another general contractor Interior Carpentry Setauket company.

Ratings

Your search for a general commercial contractor should not end with samples of your past work. To reduce the risk of potential problems, you should also examine your credentials and qualifications. Your first step in this regard is to consult with your city's building code inspector, local business office, or builder's licensing board. This will let you know if complaints have been filed against the contractor you are considering.

You should also ask any potential contractor about your license, as well as insurance and bond compliance. Make sure the contractor you are consulting with has the appropriate licenses as required by your city building codes. Now would also be the ideal time to ask your contractor what type of liability insurance you have and the extent of your coverage. If your contractor is on the level, you should have no problem showing your credentials to potential clients. This is an important part of the qualification process for any general construction contractor, and indeed for almost any type of professional, so you should not neglect this crucial step. By making sure everything is in order, you will greatly reduce the risk of any liability on your part if things go wrong with the construction project, or if the workers end up not paying.