Top 10 Questions to Ask a General Contractor
Bonnie Doon House, built by Archive
Lack of skill, ridiculous delays, poor quality…we have all heard horror stories about projects gone seriously wrong.
Slow down and interview your contractor! It may seem like a lot of work but by asking perspective contractors the following questions, you could save yourself a lot of trouble down the road.
1
How long have you been in the business?
A contractor can be great with the tools of the trade, but not so great at the financial side of the business.
The problem? They could be out of money before they complete a project. A very unfortunate practice in this industry is contractors claiming bankruptcy and then opening up a new business under a different name the following day. While this may seem extreme, when larger projects overwhelm a contractor, this is often an outcome of the situation.
2
Can I talk to some past clients?
We are proud of our work! And so should every other contractors you talk with.
It is an expectation that you would like to talk with previous clients, but many people skip this step. Arrange with your contractor to speak to at least 2 of their previous clients. Ask for a few street addresses to get a peek at exterior work as well.
3
What type of insurances do you carry?
Contractors don’t plan on having a day go sideways, but accidents happen.
At a bare minimum you want your contractor to carry WCB on their employees and a liability policy. Having your contractor insured protects you and your contractor from any unexpected disasters.
4
Do you provide any type of warranty?
A contractor should stand up for the product and services they deliver.
Reputable contractors will include a warranty provision in their contracts. During your interview, ask for clarity around how any quality or workmanship concerns will be addressed and how long you have to report issues.
5
What steps are you taking to protect my property during construction?
Depending on the scope of your project you may have sensitive areas that you do not want disturbed.
Construction dust and debris have a way of migrating easily. Proper hoarding and isolation techniques can guarantee limited spread and reduced cleaning times.
6
Will you obtain permits and inspections?
Not every project requires a permit or inspection, but many do and your contractor should be comfortable obtaining these.
The permits are there to protect you and to ensure that the proper work is being completed to the current building codes.
7
Will there be a dedicated team working on this project?
Competent contractors are able to assist multiple clients at one time and generally have multiple crews working. Knowing who will be on site on a regular basis allows for a higher level of comfort for you.
Consistency allows for better communication and relationship building.
8
How often will you be on site to inspect the project?
You are developing a relationship with your contractor. If things are going smoothly, you’ll be hiring them shortly.
Clients can be disappointed when the schedule for visits and inspections hasn’t been agreed upon up front. Make sure to get a solid understanding of how this might look at the start of the project.
9
What is the payment schedule?
A reputable contractor should only require a small portion of the total contract price to begin the work.
You should never pay the full price of your project up front. By agreeing upon the payment terms, you will know when and how much you will need to pay during the project.
10
Have you previously been involved in any legal disputes?
Your contractor should be honest and up front around any disputes that they may have experienced in the past.
In a perfect world they would have a clean record, but there are times when disputes occur and legal channels are involved. This may or may not be a deal breaker, but the background and outcomes of the dispute are very important to understand.
Hiring a qualified General Contractor is an important step in starting a new construction project and knowing the questions to ask will give you the confidence to find the right GC for the job. A trustworthy pro will also have questions for you to give them a better understanding of your vision, goals and expectations. Overall, the key to a smooth relationship between homeowners and contractors is open communication.
We are a General Contractor, yes and we want to help bring your vision to life, yes…but we also want to empower you to make the most informed decision you can when choosing someone to lead your dream project. If you’re ready to ask us these very questions, contact us today. We can help build your history.