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