Are you in the market for a general contractor? No matter how large or small your construction project may be, hiring a contractor you can trust is essential. Hiring an inexperienced or shady general contractor can result in costly delays and shoddy workmanship. The will only lead you to final product that falls far below your expectations (or completely apart!).
By knowing what to watch out for, you can avoid any headaches and heartaches down the road. That’s why in this blog, we’ll be talking about some of the most common mistakes that are made when searching for and hiring a general contractor.
Don’t accept the first quote you get.
It’s always best to shop around for the best quote you can find. This will vastly decrease the possibility of being taken advantage of while you plan and execute your project.
When shopping around for a general contractor, know what you’re looking for. You’ll want to have a detailed list of as many of your project’s needs as possible. This will help each contractor give you the most accurate quote that they are able to.
It’s best to find at least three different contractors to offer you quotes. This allows you to get a better idea of the price range you can expect for your project. If the quote sizes are within a similar range, you can feel comfortable that you are getting a fair and honest market price. However, if there is an outlier —whether the price is way higher or way lower— it’s time to do a little more research into your choices.
Remember, a price that seems too good to be true probably is.
Don’t pay cash for a project.
Cold hard cash always feels like a simple payment solution: no risk of card fraud, no troublesome lines of credit, and no checks to send out. However, paying for your project with cash is the easiest way to lose your money if problems with your contractor begin to arise. It is not the industry standard to pay in cash, and even if you are offered a discounted rate, it’s always safest to decline.
Be sure to check with each contractor about their available and preferred payment options before signing any official documents. Smaller projects can be paid through credit cards or direct deposits, while bigger projects will likely require larger financing methods.
Don’t forget to run a background check.
No one wants a complete stranger walking around their home. When you are in the process of choosing a contractor, make sure to do your research and find out who they are. You’ll want to look for any available information about the contractor’s certifications and project history. A company proudly displaying its portfolio will be far more trustworthy than one that makes it difficult to find its previous work. Be sure to avoid any contractors with a history of misconduct, worker/customer fraud, or, at worst, an actual criminal record.
Background checks are meant to keep general contractors honest and reputable in their work. In order to protect yourself, this is one of the most severe mistakes to avoid.
Don’t hire your friend (yes, even if they’re a professional).
It’s always tempting to reach out to those you know and already have a decent level of trust with. However, even if your friend is a general contractor by trade, you can still face interpersonal problems. Undertaking big construction investments for your property is already massive stress in and of itself. If something goes wrong and it’s your money on the line. It could put a heavy strain on your relationship with that person, if not wholly shatter it.
And if your friend isn’t a contractor by trade, you could find yourself in another world of trouble. They could not have the proper insurance and licensing that’s required of a proper general contractor. This could, at best, leave you with legal fines and, at worst, leave you paying massive medical bills if your uninsured friend happens to be injured on the job.
Don’t forget to plan for setbacks.
It is always essential to have a backup plan, regardless of what you are doing. Any number of things could go wrong with your construction project. From supply shortages and weather delays to design flaws and a contractor bailing on the project, you need to be ready for whatever happens.
We recommend speaking with your contractor and asking questions about contingency plans in case of setbacks. This will save both you and your contractor time, money, and headaches. Doing so will also give you time to let the contractor know what they can and cannot do without consulting you first. This will allow them creative liberty to adjust to sudden changes without wasting time waiting on your approval.
Don’t forget to hire us!
Whether you’re looking for a general contractor for simple renovations or building your dream home from the ground up, there’s no one better and more trustworthy than Levi’s Construction. With over 30 years of experience, our insured, bonded, and bilingual crew will approach your project with the care, skill, and dedication that you deserve.
If you’d like to learn more about us and what we do, check out our website or give us a call at (510) 543-1182. You can also reach us via our contact page or email at levisconstruction@comcast.net!