Steps to find a good general contractor

There are a number of important issues to consider when looking for a general contractor. Obviously, you will want to find a contractor that is best suited for the job, and you will also want to get a good price for quality work. Unfortunately, there are numerous challenges in finding a suitable contractor at the right price. In most cases, you will end up with a general contractor who will charge you an arm and a leg for quality work, or a less capable contractor who will give you a budget rate. That said, there is a middle ground between these two extremes, and it is completely possible to find an accredited contractor who does a satisfactory job for you at a price you can afford.

Here are some important steps to find a good general construction contractor:

Make a brief list of possible general contractors to consider

Finding a good contractor is almost the same as finding any other type of qualified staff. A good way to start is by asking for recommendations from people you know. If a certain general contractor has done a good job for someone you know, your friend is probably happy to tell you about him. You can also check with the construction supply stores in your city or check the online service listings that have a reputation for strict criteria. It is probably best to avoid telephone directory listings, as there will be no way to verify the credentials of contractors that you will find in these listings.

Look at the qualifications of each contractor

After you have made a list of worthy construction contractors, it is time to take a closer look at each candidate's qualifications. At a minimum, you will want to make sure that each person you consider has a general contractor's license and sufficient insurance coverage for worker's compensation, property damage and personal liability. Then, you can meet with each contractor that meets your criteria and find out if they can meet the work and scheduling requirements. Now would also be a good time to ask each contractor for references from satisfied customers for those who have worked in the past. General Contractor

Here are some tips regarding checking references of potential contractors: always ask to see the work that your potential contractor has done for previous clients. It is not enough to simply talk to the old customer by phone, since there will be no way to verify if the contractor you are considering has done some work for them or not. By visiting the client's home, you can inspect the work of the contractor first hand and verify that your potential contractor has done a good job. Don't be too shy to ask to see your house either. Most people who have successfully done the work in their homes will be happy to show them off.

Request a quote from each contractor.

After checking the qualifications of each contractor, you should be able to further reduce your list. Your next step would be to request a quote from each of these potential candidates. While getting a good price is a major concern, you don't necessarily want to hire the contractor that offers the lowest offer. Many new general contractor companies often offer potential customers an offer well below the normal market rate as a means of setting foot in the door, so to speak. While it is true that everyone has to start from somewhere, and this also applies to commercial general contractors, it would probably not be a good idea to hire an inexperienced contractor for a major construction project. Let other people with money to spare be the guinea pigs for inexperienced contractors! Many contractors with a less stellar history in the business will also offer you a lower-than-normal offer to improve your reputation in the industry. Therefore, you should consider other factors besides the price when considering which of these construction contractors you will hire for the job.