Building Contractors

If you want to build a home, add on to an existing one or even renovate a room, hiring a general contractor is a good idea.

The reasons for this are many, but most importantly is the fact general contractors typically know their way around a job and they know who to call in and when. For a lay person handling a big construction job, it's very difficult to know when to have the plumber install the pipes and when to call in the roofers. A general contractor understands the process from start to finish and can take the burdens and worries away from a homeowner.

With that said, it's also true a general contractor can be a homeowner's best friend during a big construction job or his or her worst enemy. To find the best contractor to handle a job, it's a good idea to do some homework about those available first.

When looking for a general contractor, here are some things to consider:

• What exactly do the contractors you're interviewing say they offer for the price? Will they handle every detail from getting the plans finalized and purchasing the materials to scheduling all of the subcontractors and even the inspections? Know what you're buying before you sign a contract.
• Experience. While general contractors are almost a must on any big construction job, some "superintendents" who oversee projects are "green." This means they are new to the industry and may not fully understand the process. Make sure the person who oversees your job understands the construction process from start to finish. It does you no good to have a superintendent assigned to build your house who calls in the drywall crew before the roof's gone up.
• References. Ask for them. Check them out. Even check into past jobs and see the quality of construction yourself.
• Licensing, bonding, insurance. Reputable construction companies will have all of these things. Ask about them.
• Guarantees and payment schedules. Make sure you understand the costs - all of them - before you sign a contract. It's not a bad idea to have a lawyer check out a contract before you sign, especially for a costly project.

Hiring a contractor is like hiring any other professional. Quality people are out there, but it's up to the buyers to find them and take steps to ensure those they hire know their trade and know it well. Don't be fooled by fast-talking. Take the time to interview and ask questions and check out the answers before choosing a general contractor.

Most contractors are consummate professionals who pride themselves in quality work, but unfortunately there are those out there who pray on people who don't know what they're doing. A good general contractor can be a homeowner's best friend during a big construction job in avoiding bad contractors.