Tips for Selecting and Contracting a Home Remodeling General Contractor

Planning for a home remodeling project and selectingexpectations, and request they be realistic about
a general contractor can seem daunting. This helpfultime, cost, and interruption factors. It is wise not to
article takes the guess work out of the proceduremake a selection based on price alone; other
by neatly organizing the process; from the planningconsiderations are equally important.
stage to selecting a contractor, to the contract itself.Before you accept a bid from a contractor ask
Are you considering a home remodeling project forquestions: What experience and references do they
your property? Most remodeling projects involvehave from projects similar to yours? Will they be
either structural or aesthetic aspects which mightworking on other projects simultaneously with your
require several specialized technical skills. If this is theown? If they will not be personally working at your
case, you may want to enlist the services of asite, how much time each day will they spend
general contractor.supervising? Will they use their own crew for some
A general contractor negotiates a contract for theor all the work? How available will any
entire remodeling project, and either completes thesub-contractors be? What licenses and insurance do
specialized work with his own crew, or sub-contractsthey carry? And what is the time line of the project,
to other various house remodeling contractors. Somestart to finish? These are questions any reliable,
of the specialized areas might include planningqualified general contractor should answer and outline
architecture, concrete, plumbing, electrical, roofing,in the contract.
dry wall, cabinetry, or painting.The Contract
The PlanningWhen negotiating the contract for your home
To get an accurate bid from a potential generalremodeling project, be thorough and accurate. Include
contractor, it is very important to plan carefully, withcomplete names and addresses of both parties, a
much thought and consideration. You may want todetailed job description, material specifications, start
involve an architect or draftsman to generate theand finish dates, any warranties on work or materials,
blueprints for your project. Remember that anyand payment options.
home remodeling features not included in the plansIt is fairly common for a general contractor to ask
will not be included in the bid.for 10-33% of the estimated cost in advance; most
Once you have detailed plans for your project, youcontracts provide for payment as work progresses.
need to start the selection process for a generalA reliable, reputable contractor will agree to contract
contractor. Canadian residents can go on-line toterms which help protect the interests of both
Handy for a list of qualified, licensed contractors.parties.
The ContractorBy being thorough in your research, planning, and
It is a rule of thumb to get at least 3 bids fromcontracting process, you can look forward to
separate remodeling contractors. Provide each withenjoying the results of your home remodeling project
an identical set of plans. Be upfront about yourfor many years to come!