Frequent Asked Questions
A General Contractor takes full responsibility in ensuring a renovation or custom home build is completed on time, on budget and to the level of quality their client expects. Whether you’re looking to build your dream home or remodel your kitchen or bathroom, knowing what to expect before the project gets started is key to success.
You can better prepare yourself by choosing a contractor whom you trust and can rely on for the entirety of the project.
Determining who the right contractor is for you can be overwhelming; you may be tom between choosing someone who was referred to you or someone whose ad you saw on the internet.
However, there are different reasons people choose to work with one general Contractor or another and what may be right for one person may not fit the needs of someone else. When choosing a General Contractor you should ask yourself the following questions to help you make the best choice for your next home project:
- Will the general Contractor protect my investment?
With such a large investment being made in your home, it is important to ensure that the company you have chosen is highly qualified so that your asset is well looked after. Insurance is a good start. Here are documents your General Contractor should have, which will protect you and your home should there be an accident on the job site:- Liability insurance
- Workers Comp. coverage
- Does the General Contractor provide a detailed scope of the work they plan to complete?
A contractor should provide you with a detailed scope of work that follows the Nevada or California Building Code. This will allow you to see what exactly will be done and what to expect from the project so that there are no surprises. Having this detailed scope also allows you to assess if the investment amount reflects the amount of work outlined and can provide insight into the level of knowledge and professionalism the contractor holds. - Will the General Contractor honor my budget?
A budget outlines the amount that you are expecting to invest to acquire the home you’ve always wanted. This budget should be realistic and accessible based on what you desire for your home. Work with the General Contractor to set realistic budgets so that both your expectations and the General Contractors align, further simplifying and avoiding any unexpected costs. - Is the General Contractor setting a realistic timeline?
Do you know how long the project will take? Docs the timeline seem reasonable to you based on the scope of work? This item may be quite important if you are required to rent or maintain two homes during the project, or have an otherwise important deadline with which the project needs to correspond with. - Will the General Contractor provide me with a reasonable payment schedule?
Remember, your General Contractor is not in the business of finance, so you shouldn’t expect your General Contractor to finance your renovation for you. On the other hand, you shouldn’t be expected to pay too much before the work is done. You should feel comfortable enough to discuss with your General Contractor and develop the most suitable payment plan that works for both parties involved. - Is the General Contractor professional?
Being professional can mean different things to different people. Cleanliness, mannerism, style of work, and the ways in which they deal with unexpected circumstances are all areas of professionalism you should look for when choosing a General Contractor. Ask yourself: what are their standards and do they hold themselves accountable for their work and their actions? Looking in these areas will give you a better sense of how the General Contractor and their team will act on the job and may even provide insight into their quality of work. - What is the method of communication between my General Contractor and myself?
Your General Contractor and their employees should be your only source of contact. You should not be expected to deal with any questions or concerns from a subcontractor. Knowing that this is your one point of contact will simplify the process and allow you to express concerns or questions to one source, rather than many.
The above expectations and any others you may have should be shared with your General
Contractor. When doing your due diligence with selecting a General Contractor, it may also be
helpful to speak with their previous clients and bring forth the expectations that are most
important to you.
Remember, the most successful renovations are all based around open communication and trust.
– Jim King