WHAT MAKES A GOOD GENERAL CONTRACTOR?
December 22, 2019
When you’re ready to do home improvements or to build a new home, a good general contractor is one of the best assurances of a quality job. Before you jump into an agreement with anyone, you’ll want to make sure that they are right for you. We believe there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a GC. We want to share those with you so you are able to make the best out of your home’s construction project.
1. Experience
A good general contractor is a tradesman with experience in every aspect of construction from basic repairs to designing and building homes. While most general contractors hire subcontractors, it is imperative that they understand how to do the job themselves. They are the ones that take responsibility, schedules the work and assures that every subcontractor completes their tasks on time and to the highest level of quality.
2. Reputation
When you get good service, you’re likely to tell your friends, relatives, co-workers and anyone else that asks. The reputation any professional has, including general contractors, is directly proportionate to the quality of the work and service that they offer. The best way to find out how good their reputation is to ask previous clients about them. Don’t just stop there, check with the local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau as well.
3. Integrity
A general contractor with integrity will never over-charge a customer and will always do exactly what they say they will. They will also stand behind every aspect of the work that they oversee. That doesn’t mean that there won’t ever be a mistake made, it just means that they will work to rectify the situation quickly. In addition, they will act responsibly when it comes to keeping the work site organized and will dispose of trash properly.
4. Flexibility
This pertains both to the skill set of your general contractor and their ability to alter schedules to complete the work. Construction projects involve everything from building frames to plumbing, painting, roofing and window installation. You need a general contractor that’s able and willing to take on every aspect of your project within the time frame that you set. That may mean working extra hours, weekends and even evenings, but that’s what being flexible is all about.
5. Listening Skills
Since it’s your home that is being built or remodeled, your voice should be the loudest. Tell the general contractor exactly what you want and why. Their job is not to try to convince you to do it another way, it’s to do as you wish. Yes, sometimes homeowners want things done that are structurally impossible or cost-prohibitive. The job of the contractor then is to explain why it cannot be done and offer an alternative that will work in a similar fashion.
If you are looking for a general contractor in the DC Metropolitan area, contact us. With more than a decade of experience, we know how to get the job done right, no matter how big or small.