I think the most important thing is to always keep open communication with the contractor.
Try and have a ‘Clear & Concise’ set of plans or scope of work.
Take your time in the planning process. Do your research and get ideas from all kinds of different sources. Once you have a good idea of what the finished product should look like, spend some time talking about it with your contractor. Bring up important topics like your budget, your time-frame expectancy, and product selection. Make sure to ask about what kind of warranties will be included, and agree on a payment schedule up front. It should raise a flag if 100% payment is required before any work is started, but a down-payment on the work is usually the norm, and shouldn’t usually exceed 50% of the project’s total cost.
Check all licenses and insurance papers; make sure all are current.
Communication is the key factor here, don’t worry that you are asking too many questions. The more that is talked about, the less that will go wrong. Be specific, there are many grades of materials and you don’t want to get the basic or PREMIUM (cheapest), they don’t hold up to heavy use.
Work with contractors that you have verified and known for excellent customer service and communication. Visit their office and meet the staff along with the workers that are going to be used for your project. Go thru each line item on your proposal so that you and the contractor are on the same page and there are no assumptions. Don’t over focus on price. You will live with the remodel for a long time and the quality of the work will be the most important factor. If your contractor has a full time designer to help with design and selections, this is a big plus.
Check the CLSB website and make sure that your contractor is licensed: cslb.ca.gov.
If he or she is not licensed, you may be at risk of liability. Remember, caveat emptor.
Make sure you hire a Licensed Contractor. And check experience and past work pictures for that vision you are looking for…
Have a good idea of your scope of work, your timeline, financial budget and be a good communicator. A decisive client always has the best outcome with a quick and successful contracting endeavor.
The most important thing to look for is a craftsman you can trust and communicate with. A building project requires hundreds of decisions to be made by the home owner and the builder in a concentrated time frame. The correct choice in professionals will make the experience both fun and rewarding.
Generate a check list about the project progress. The most important thing is to follow up with the contractor through communication. Make sure the contractor understands your needs and budget requirements.
The first way you can help is to read the contract, word-for-word. Does it accurately describe the work to be done? Does it describe the work in adequate detail so as to minimize confusion once work is started? “Accuracy” and “adequacy” are the key things to consider before signing a contract.
We believe in simple way.
There are five important points the homeowner needs to make sure before start day:
A. Time manegment. GWP gives customers a schedule of work from Monday to Friday, the schedule includes
- workers names
- time of arrival
- subject of work
B. Project plan. The plan will show exactly how it will look once finished.
C. All materials need to be on the jobs site (tile flooring, roof shingles, paint color, lumber). When all material is on the job side before start day, it will make the project more time efficient - no days with no work on the job side, no delays, no miscommunication.
D. Clean up every day before leaving the job site. Pack the tools and do not leave any thing behind
E. Make a picture before the project starts - all furniture, all appliances, everything you can.
As a contractor, this is how GWP works. It makes each project simple, easy and with no delays or miscommunication.
Good luck
There are a multitude of things that can get in the way of a successful remodeling project. Here are just a few:
Open communication is key. Be sure to select your contractor based on his or her knowledge and not because they agreed with everything you say. There are a large number of people that like to tell you what you want to hear while in conversation with you, then forget that they were “blowing smoke” per se. Don’t take offence if someone shoots straight with you and says “no” on occasion, as long as there is a reasonable explanation. Also be sure to read and understand your written contract. If you aren’t clear on any part of it, you need to reach out to your contractor for clarification.
Be weary of the lowest bids. The cheapest estimate is often the worst option. You very often get what you pay for. A low bid often equates to the contractor trying to find ways to save money at the expense of quality workmanship and or materials.
Make sure you check the contractors references and qualifications well.
Making sure you have all of your selections for things like electrical and plumbing fixtures as well as paint colors, trim styles and flooring considered and selected ahead of time. Changing one’s mind in the middle of a project can complicate the process. Though changes are ok, just remember they often can add to the bottom line cost. Be prepared to bring your checkbook.
Have all of your selections completed, organized, and ready to go. Utilize a professional designer to make sure you have detailed and dimensioned drawings of all of your selections.
Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured; get references. Check your State’s laws regarding deposits (never give a deposit that you are not comfortable with). Make sure the contract is signed by both parties and explains in full detail the scope of work to be completed and payment terms.
The first thing you should always do before beginning any project is to write down very specific goals for how and what you want the project to be. Separate the things that are “wants” from the things that are absolute necessities, and be prepared to speak openly with your contractor about what is on your mind. Unfortunately, many homeowners take an “us against them” attitude with contractors, believing that if they disclose too much information, (budgets, other quotes, urgency, etc.) they will somehow weaken their negotiating position when it comes to the end price. This is simply not true. First, choose a contractor that you can trust. Interview them about past and current projects, company background and general practices, and get to know them. Once he or she has earned your trust, be transparent, open, and honest. It will make the whole process easier, from start to finish.
Hi Jiyan
The one mistake I see all the time homeowners make is going with the cheapest price. My advice would be: look up industry standards specifically in your current city, price per square foot (install, demo, etc.) and check material pricing at Home Depot. Act like a contractor. Build the job as if you were doing the work based on the estimates/ proposals you have received. Always get at least three estimates per job in order to check their material lists against one another. If all three are relatively the same you have a pretty good idea they are all on track. Another thing I do before hiring anyone as a general contractor is make a check list or a questionnaire for them. You can look them up on Labor and Industries to verify licensing, Bond, Insurance. It provides lists of what jobs this contractor can do legally; it will also provide you with documentation if this contractor has any complaints or violations currently or previously against them.
I hope this helps you
Custom Coatings NW LLC
John Leesburg
Have drawings or a plan on paper.
Find a contractor who is trustworthy, and that you feel comfortable with. Be sure to provide 1/3 labor, and the full amount of the material.
Give a clean and ready working space ready for the contractor. Have your phone or a way to be available to communicate with your hired contractor.