How to Choose A General Contractor

Choosing a general contractor can be a daunting task. Boston has many qualified contractors that do jobs ranging from major commercial construction to residential renovations. If you are looking for the perfect contractor, take a few minutes to do your research. Choosing the wrong person could leave you will empty pockets and a construction nightmare, but the right contractor will leave you satisfied every time. Before you start your next home project, take these three easy steps to build a happy, lasting relationship with your contractor.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Ask the right questions.
   
   When you are interviewing potential contractors, be sure to ask for references. Check at least half a dozen references on every contractor before you make a final decision. Ask if the contractor belongs to any professional associations. This can signal someone who is serious and established in his work. Ask how long the contractor has been in business and if the business if registered with the chamber of commerce and/or the Better Business Bureau. Ask what kind of insurance the contractor carries and ask permission to verify it. Make sure to ask if he has done business under another name or in another state. If so, find out why and check out both business names with the Better Business Bureau. Ask how many employees he has and if they are covered under his insurance. Make sure that the contractor carries worker's compensation insurance.

2. Communicate your desires clearly.
   
   When you show your proposed project to contractors, be sure to give them a clear picture of your budget and the job that you want done. If the contractor's quote doesn't line up with your budget, then be honest about the difference. Try to negotiate a price that works for both of you or move on to another contractor. Another important topic will be time. How long does the contractor propose the project to take? Present your time frame clearly and ask him if he has an alternate plan to keep work on schedule during bad weather or employee illness. As you communicate your needs to the contractor, be sure to take time to listen to his suggestions as well. If the contractor is credible, he will have some great advice to share with you. Respect his opinion and he will be more likely to respect your wishes for quick timing and a strict budget.

3. Give respect and appreciation.
   
   Once you have found a great contractor, be sure to thank him appropriately for a job well done. Ask him for a few business cards and offer to pass them along to friends. Another nice gesture is to provide a written letter of recommendation that he can pass along to future clients. Good contractors can be hard to find, but there are some great ones. When you find one, don't hesitate to give him the appreciation he deserves. He might even give you a nice hefty discount on your next home project!

[TexJac54]

on 2/22/2009 We have bought houses 80% complete, worked with the present contractors and got what we asked for. That was the problem, we did not ask the right questions.The next house, I decided to be the general contractor. On paper, we saves about 30%, but we did not put a value on my time.We had a house built in Florida and used the subdivision owner as the contractor. They DID NOT want to do anything we requested. We had to get crappy with them, my wife had to explain construction terms and principals to the Site Superintendent.My point is this, BEING the contractor is not any easier than being the customer, but remember above and beyond all else, YOU ARE THE CUSTOMER!!! Get EVERYTHING in writing and have the contractor sign off on it. A person's word is only good until money is involved.If the contractor will not take you to what they have done, then tay away from them.