Renovating
5 Must-Dos Before You Hire a Builder
Building a new home? Renovating? Hire the right contractor from the start and you'll get into your new space ... stress-free
Building your dream home is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do, as is renovating for extra space, but all this excitement comes with a lot of responsibility. Hiring the best general contractor for you and your project is an extremely important decision. That choice will determine the quality of craftsmanship and will minimise emotional stress and unexpected costs. Bringing in the right contractor early on in the design process is one of the most important ingredients in staying on budget and on schedule during construction.
Here are five simple must-dos to help you hire the right contractor for your project.
Here are five simple must-dos to help you hire the right contractor for your project.
3. View recent work
After looking at a contractor’s portfolio, request to visit a few projects similar in size and style to yours. Try to check out one that was recently completed, one that’s under construction and one completed five to 10 years ago. Answer these questions.
Ask for a list of references. In private, discuss with previous clients their experiences working with the contractor. Ask them the following questions.
After looking at a contractor’s portfolio, request to visit a few projects similar in size and style to yours. Try to check out one that was recently completed, one that’s under construction and one completed five to 10 years ago. Answer these questions.
- Does the work carry a warranty, and were any problems corrected?
- How does the latest construction site look?
- Did the older finished project stand the test of time?
Ask for a list of references. In private, discuss with previous clients their experiences working with the contractor. Ask them the following questions.
- Was it a pleasant working relationship?
- Did they and the contractor communicate well?
- Was the contractor fair and honest?
- Was the project completed on schedule and within budget?
- Were there extra costs or surprises?
- How were problems handled?
- How was the quality of craftsmanship and follow-up?
5. Understand the contract
Decide on the contractor you wish to hire and, while your plans are in the permit-review process, discuss the different kinds of contracts available and ask for one to review. Then…
TELL US
What are your tips for hiring a building contractor? Let us know in the comments section below.
Decide on the contractor you wish to hire and, while your plans are in the permit-review process, discuss the different kinds of contracts available and ask for one to review. Then…
- Ask for updates to the construction bid if plans change for any reason.
- Do not sign the contract until your permits have been approved and all costs have been finalised.
- Be aware that there are always unknowns in the construction process that create change orders and additional costs. This is normal. Expect it. Allow about five to eight per cent of your total budget for these extras. With good planning, design and management, the costs can be minimised.
TELL US
What are your tips for hiring a building contractor? Let us know in the comments section below.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Talk with people you know and trust. Your architect is an obvious source, but also talk with family, friends, neighbours, lawyers, real estate agents and others who have built projects similar to yours.
Browse professional listings to find general contractors in your area. Check out their reviews and browse photos in their portfolios to see how their work lines up with the scope of your project. You can even message them to get a conversation going.
Are there recently completed or under-construction projects in your area? Ask the owners about their contractor and the working relationship they have with him or her.
2. Verify licences
Make sure your contractor candidates have a licence to build and are in good standing with the relevant building authorities. Ask to see each contractor’s licence and certificate of insurance.
Having a proper licence demonstrates a company’s best practices management, but hiring a contractor with a licence will also protect you. For example, worker’s compensation insurance is a contractor’s responsibility, not a property owner’s, but that’s not the case if a contractor doesn’t not hold a licence or does not carry proper insurance.