How to find a good contractor?

Would you like to renovate or renovate your new home first? Then a contractor can be useful. He is responsible for the entire project. Handy, but also risky. After all, he can make or break the renovation. How do you find a good contractor and how do you avoid problems?

  1. What does a contractor do?
  2. Where can you find a good contractor?
  3. What else do you pay attention to when making your choice?
  4. Cost
  5. Request and assess quotations
  6. Make clear agreements
  7. Tips
  8. When problems occur

What does a contractor do?

You want to expand your new home with, for example, a conservatory, dormer window, new kitchen or bathroom. If you don't like DIY or don't have time for it, it's best to hire a contractor. The tasks of a contractor are in brief:

  • Discussing the design, specifications, and drawings with the architect or designer
  • Making a schedule
  • Arranging necessary (building) permits
  • Calling in, planning, and managing professionals such as the installer, electrician, and painter
  • Ensuring that the building materials are on time
  • Furnishing the workshop

A contractor is responsible for the entire project. That's his job and you pay him for it. You can therefore speak to him if something goes wrong, for example, if the renovation is delayed or if you are dissatisfied with the work performed.

A good contractor takes care of all the 'hassle' and arranging.

Where can you find a good contractor?

Via an acquaintance

You can entrust a contractor with a big job. Ask friends and acquaintances if they can recommend a contractor. Also view the result with them. Although not a watertight guarantee, it does provide more security than hiring a total stranger.

Hiring a personal acquaintance is not recommended. This can go wrong due to expectations that are not met or agreements that are not clear.

Via a quality mark

Choose a contractor who is affiliated with a quality mark, such as Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes. This quality mark guarantees that another affiliated contractor takes over the renovation if your contractor unexpectedly goes bankrupt.

Also, check whether the contractor is affiliated with the Disputes Committee for Renovations and New Construction. This offers more guidance in the event of differences of opinion and legal conflicts about the renovation.

What else do you pay attention to when making your choice?

  • Contractors have their specializations. So try to find the contractor (s) who has/have a lot of experience with the job (s) that need to be done.
  • Look for a contractor in time. After all, there are many details to think about. And the contractor of your choice must of course also have time to carry out the assignment.
  • If you hire an architect for the renovation, they may be able to recommend a few contractors. It is useful when architects and contractors are attuned to each other.
  • A contractor from the region has the advantage of having a reputation to uphold in the region where most of his clients live. And it limits travel costs.
  • There are websites where you can offer a job and where contractors respond with a quote. Some are public so everyone can read what you're up to. Others will forward your wishes to a number of contractors.
  • Ask the contractors or Custom Home Builder in Austin you have in mind for references, google them, and check Zhcustomhomes.com.

Cost

Unlike a painter, handyman, or plumber, you usually don't pay a contractor by the hour, but you pay a 'contract price' for the whole job.

Because every renovation is different, standard prices are difficult to give. Overall, you should think of an hourly rate of $ 30 to $ 50. There are also costs for material, hiring of craftsmen, permits, etc.

You can reduce costs by doing some parts of the job yourself, for example stripping and demolishing or finishing (painting, wallpapering).

Do not prepay large sums. For example, at most 10% at the start of the project.

Request and assess quotations

Always request at least 3 quotations. First, go through your renovation wishes verbally with the contractors. As a layman, you often do not know exactly what all possibilities are. Also, record your wishes on paper with your quotation request.

Sometimes a contractor asks for a quote. He must point this out to you in advance, but it doesn't hurt to check.

When evaluating the offers, please note the following:

  • Are the activities you want well described, including materials and references to drawings, for example?
  • Are the professionals involved certified?
  • Is the payment of all professionals included in the price?
  • Which materials are included in the price, which is not? Also, pay attention to the quality of the proposed material?
  • Does the price include or exclude travel costs, equipment (scaffolding, stairs, etc.), fees for required permits?
  • Start and delivery date
  • Is there a warranty on the work (materials and activities)?
  • What does it say about payment terms?
  • Resolutive conditions, for example, if the necessary permits cannot be obtained.

Always read the General Terms and Conditions that, if all goes well, are included with the quotation. You agree to this if you give an assignment. This includes the payment method, guarantee, and dispute settlement.

Make clear agreements

Record all agreements on paper. Do not expect that you have discussed everything with this. There will always be choices to be made.

Agree that the contractor will always discuss any additional work with you in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. Also, record the agreements you make about this on paper.

Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes have drawn up a DIY contract that you can use if your contractor is not affiliated with a trade association.

Tips

  • Take a look at the 'construction site' regularly. This way you can easily make adjustments if necessary.
  • Also, record everything that has been agreed upon after the assignment.
  • Have the delivery recorded in writing in a delivery report.

When problems occur

If you are dissatisfied with the work done, report this immediately. You can then immediately agree on how, and within what reasonable period, the shortcomings will be remedied. 

If you are not satisfied upon delivery, withhold part of the payment, for example, 5 or 10%. This puts more pressure on the contractor to get it right quickly.

In the case of complaints or problems, always contact the contractor first. If you cannot reach an agreement with him, you can call in the Disputes Committee for Renovations and New Construction within 3 months. The entrepreneur must be a member of this.

Read more:

Build a custom home without stress? Choose the key on the door!

8 tips for those who start to build a custom home

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