Have you ever wanted to be on the other end of the interview process? Meaning one day, you will have the chance to interview someone for a job? Well, if you are looking to build your next home, now’s your chance!
There are tons of general contractors out there that could take on your next home project. However, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we said that all general contractors are equal. Finding a general contractor is like finding a new employee to work for you, and building a home from the ground up takes time. So, this general contractor will be spending a lot of time with you as your home is being built. Most importantly, the final outcome of your dream home depends on the contractor. A good general contractor will do their best to stay within your budget, accomplish your goals, and complete the project by its expected completion date.
With that being said, now is your time to interview! If this is your first-time building, you might not know where to start. So, we have got you covered with a list of the most important questions you should ask your contractor before hiring them to build your home.
Do you have all the necessary licensing?
It’s easy to assume that every contractor has the required contract licenses. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If you hire a contractor that does not have the required licensing, this can turn into a legal nightmare for you. Make sure the contractor has the license they need prior to hiring them. It might be a good idea to ask for proof of licensing as well. Contractors should have both workers compensation and liability insurance specifically for the type of job they are going to perform.
How long have you been in the home building business?
Not just anyone can build a home from the ground up. It takes a lot of knowledge that comes with experience. It’s also important to remember that most times, an issue does come up during the building process. A contractor that is new to the business might not have the experience needed to build your dream home. So, it’s important to ask contractors about their experiences.
What is the expected timeline for completion?
Most homeowners want to know when their beautiful, new home will be ready. So, don’t be afraid to ask. As a matter of fact, you need to ask this question to make the appropriate plans. Here are a few more questions you could ask to clarify the building timeline:
· Are there any other projects that you are working on that might affect our building schedule?
· Are there any other bids you are waiting to hear back on that could be of conflict?
· How will changes to our timeline be addressed?
Homeowners typically have a lot of questions when it comes to building timelines. Don’t hesitate to ask these questions up front. Your contractor should be happy and willing to answer these questions for you.
Who will be completing the work for my home?
Contractors have several projects going on at one time and they won’t be around at all hours of the day. It’s important to ask who will be doing the work and when you can expect different team members to be there. It’s important to ensure whoever is working on your property has the necessary licenses and workers comp. That way, in case of an emergency you are not at fault. You also might want to ask how often the general contractor will be checking in.
What is the payment schedule?
In addition to timelines, payment is the second most important topic to address. It is recommended that you do not pay the full price of contracting work up front and a good contractor will not ask you to. However, it is important to talk about payment terms before construction begins and you should be completely aware of how much money is due when and how to submit those funds to the contractor. This is a great way to avoid any problems down the road.
How can I reach you?
During construction, you will need to speak with your general contractor for one reason or another. The last thing you want to have happen is to have no way to contact the general contractor that is responsible for the construction of your home. It might be a good idea to ask the best hours to reach them and their preferred method of communication.
How will your team clean up the property?
Nothing is worse than walking around your new home and stepping on glass or a nail. The best way to ensure your property is kept safe and clean is to address this issue up front. Your general contractor is responsible for making sure all trash is picked up on a daily basis.
How will you deal with disagreements?
No one likes to think about disagreements after they have hired a contractor to build their home. But it is important to address the topic. Construction does not always go the way it was planned, which is how disagreements arise in the first place. You will want to ask your contractor how they handle disputes if clients aren’t fully satisfied. Ultimately, you want to determine if the contractor is honest and trustworthy.
Legacy Renovations: Here to build your dream home
At Legacy Renovations, we are passionate about helping our clients build their dream home. We also love clients that come in with questions! There is no such thing as “too many questions” or “silly questions.” We want you to have all the answers you need while we get our job done to build your dream home!
If you are considering building your dream home, we ask that you give our team a call to discuss your options! If building a home is in your future, give Legacy Renovations a call!
