Hiring the right contractor is one of the biggest decisions people building a new home will make. It's a big commitment of time and revenue, but also a personal decision based on a building relationship. There is so much on the line when building a new home; it's easy to become overwhelmed.
Following some easy steps and avoiding some red flags when hiring a contractor will help you build the home of your dreams.
Have a clear idea of what you want.
Don't hire anyone until you have a clear idea of what you want and how much it will cost. You don't necessarily need architectural drawings, but you should have clear idea of the scope of the project. You should have decisions on what kind of flooring, countertops, appliances and countertops you want. You need to understand the types of expertise and budget needed to achieve the finished product you have decided on. Having a solid plan will ensure that the project starts off smoothly and you and the contractor are on the same page.
Ask Around.
Ask your friends and neighbors and get recommendations on which people they have used in the past. A plumber or an electrician will probably be able to give you good advice. Once you have decided on a contractor, ask them for references. Ask the references how they felt about the work. Was it done in a timely manner? What the work quality? Was the price fair? Did they enjoy working with the contractor? All of these aspects are great to know before going into business relationship.
Do a background check.
It's best that you check this guy out before he does any work for you. Google is a good tool to use if you want to find out whether the contractor has been involved with any litigation or has disgruntled customers venting their frustrations on the web.
"It's also a good idea to make sure the contractor is properly licensed and insured," said one Oklahoma roofing contractor.
Documents can easily be forged with today's computer technology, so it's wise to ask the contractor if you can see these documents in hand. Make sure he can pull permits with your local municipality, and never pull a permit for him. Expect to spend several hours (at least!) on the web looking for background information on your contractor.
Sign a contract.
The contract you sign with your contractor should list everything from the kinds of materials you want to use to the time involved with the project. Make sure you have a quote and ask a lot of questions.
Make a down payment.
No matter how uncomfortable it may seem, make one payment without seeing any work. This amount should be about 1/3 off the entire amount. The contractor will have to buy all the products needed to begin the job. If you don't make a down payment, you are asking him to front you that money. Never agree to pay in cash or give full payment up front. Hold on to 10 percent of the total until you are completely satisfied with the work.
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