Did you start a renovation or remodeling project and get to a point where you realized it was far more work than you ever thought and find that you were in over your head? Other homeowners my take on a remodeling project and after the initial research and homework realized that they do not have the expertise, patience, or time to complete the job. At that moment you may consider handing over the reigns to an expert and just want to know when it is finished. When you remodel and renovate a large project for your home a good contractor will be your best ally.
If you decide you want to be the contractor and hire sub contractors you will need to go through the same process of finding the right people for each of the subs as you would for finding a good contractor. Depending on the scope of your project there will be several people you will need to research and hire for the job. You will need a licensed electrician, licensed plumber, carpenters and trim work specialist, painters, flooring installers, counter top installers, glass installers for glass shower doors or window replacement, cabinet installers will handle most of your inside renovation projects. If your project includes outside work or internal systems work look for HVAC specialist, roofing crews, and siding crews. Make sure that all of the people you hire have workmens’ compensation and liability. You do not need a mishap on the job to result in you being sued for their hospital bill.
Being your own contractor is a good choice if you are by nature a control freak and want to hand pick who comes into your home to do the job. If you decide to hire a contractor they will have a team of people that they have been using for their jobs that you will not usually meet until after you have signed the contract for the work to be done. You can save money provided that the sub contractors you are hiring are cheaper than what a general contractor you hire is paying them. Also it is common for the general contractor to add on twenty percent of the cost of the subs to cover handling the job and coordinating the project. You can save twenty percent by doing this yourself if you have the time to work with several companies coordinating the project and making sure it gets done right. Read up on the codes so you can make sure your project has no delays from not passing inspection.
One key to finding a good general contractor is to know what questions to ask. Start your inquiry with your friends and coworkers. Find individuals who recently remodeled or renovated their home. Ask people who remodeled a room that you are wanting to renovate who they would recommend for a general contractor. What was it about that person that they liked? What did not work out as well as they anticipated? If it is important to you to stay on budget and your friends’ project went above what he or she expected that would be something good for you to know.
When you meet with a potential contractor ask them how long they have been working with their sub contractors. If they have a revolving door of different electricians plumbers and carpenters it may say something about the reliability of the contractor or the judgment of the contractor. Of course it is natural that people change jobs and move on but if the contractor you are hiring has an all new team of people how do they know the reliability of the sub contractors work? When you choose a good general contractor who has been dealing with most of the same people and suppliers for years that is telling you the quality of the work is good, the subs want to work with that contractor and people are standing behind the work they have done.
