Questions to Ask Before Hiring a General Contractor
You will have to make certain complex and critical decisions while building a new home and renovating the existing one. The home construction or renovation process requires the right selection of a construction company. Fortunately, there are some questions to ask before hiring a general contractor for your home project. Let’s jump to these questions directly!
- Are you licensed for this type of work?
This is one of the most important questions to ask a general constructor. Proper licensing is the mandatory aspect of many industries including the construction industry. You can ask for a copy of their license and contact the issuing authority to make sure it is in good standing. Usually, this type of license is issued by the state. You can also check the online search forms of contractors provided by your state.
- Which types of insurance do you carry?
Ask the general contractor about the types of insurance they carry. For instance, the contractor must have general liability insurance that will protect your home or building in case of an unexpected accident. Examples of such accidents include hitting a water line while the construction process. If they liability insurance, you need not worry because they will take care of the cost of this disaster.
Secondly, your general contractor must carry workers’ compensation insurance. If someone will get hurt during the job on your property, the contractor will bear the medical and other related expenses.
- How many building permits have you obtained in my area over the last two years?
Ask your general contractor if they know your local building code or the permitting process of your community. Always prefer the contractor who has previously worked in your area and has a good reputation. In other words, avoid hiring a contractor who is new in the town and doesn’t have knowledge about the rules and regulations that may apply to your project.
- Can you provide a list of references?
Try to take feedback from the former clients who have worked with the general contractor you are considering. Ask them about their experience and process as well. Discussing things like budget, final project,time-lines, and behavior. Ask them would they like to hire the general contractor again?
- What is an expected timeline for this project?
It is very crucial to be clear about the timeline of your project, especially when you already have a deadline in your mind. Share your expectations with them and ask them when will they start their work and when they will complete the project. Also, ask them about the possible circumstances that may push back the completion date of the project. Also, make sure the timeline is realistic. Do not expect them to complete your project with an unrealistic deadline because it will adversely affect the quality of work. To avoid future problems, it’s better to be clear about the time-lines of your project.
