What You Must Know Before You Hire a General Contractor!

Your home is the single biggest investment you can expect to make in a lifetime.  It only makes sense that you should take good care of it and make the most out of it.  A general contractor is the professional who can help you do just that.  However, there is much more to general contracting than building materials and construction, and it is in your best interest to do plenty of research before you work with a general contractor.  Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.  Read on to learn what you need to know before you hire a general contractor.

Work Offered By General Contractors

As previously mentioned, the job of a general contractor is much more varied than you might think.  It is likely that a number of common home improvement projects you will face are perfect for the hiring of a general contractor.  What types of jobs can you expect of a general contractor’s expertise?  Here is a description of many of the services offered by general contractors:

Roofing.  When most people face roof repairs and replacements, they assume they will have to hire a roofing contractor for the job.  That is simply not true.  General contractors are not only qualified to do roofing work, but they are also able to provide their own materials, which they get at a discounted rate, and pass that savings on to you.

Flooring.  This is one of the simplest and most commonplace home improvement projects there is, and you don’t have to hire a flooring specialist or tile worker to install your new flooring.  A general contractor can guide you through your materials options, and can oversee the installation process from start to finish.

Mold remediation.  Mold is a relatively common household problem; unfortunately, it is also extremely dangerous.  A general contractor can remedy your mold problem by tearing out and rebuilding construction elements that have been destroyed by mold.

Plumbing.  Whether you have a leak in your piping or you need a completely new installation of plumbing pipe work, a general contractor can handle the job.  Additionally, general contractors are responsible for overseeing kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room construction and renovation – all jobs which require professional plumbing services that a general contractor can provide.

Historical preservation.  Do you have a historic home that you would like to bring into modernity?  If so, you need to find a general contractor that offers historical preservation services to meet all of your needs.

Most Popular Home Remodeling Projects

There is a lot you can do to your home to customize it to your needs and personal tastes.  Really, when it comes to home improvement, you are only limited by your imagination.  Looking for some inspiration?  Here are some of the most popular home remodeling projects:

Kitchen.  This is one of the most expensive home renovation projects there is.  However, most people report that, when it comes to valuing a home, the kitchen ranks right at the top of the priorities list.  A kitchen renovation may include a wide array of elements, including cabinetry, lighting, appliances, countertops, islands, windows, eating nooks, storage, and display shelving.

Sunroom.  This may also be called the all seasons room, the sun porch, or the solarium, but basically, it is just a room with a lot of windows.  The purpose of a sunroom is to bring the outdoors in, and this home addition is perfect for cozying up with a book or spending quiet, reflective time with family.

Flooring.  You can dramatically change the look and feel of your space with a simple change in flooring.  With all the options at your disposal – including tile, carpeting, concrete, wood, and more – there is no limit to what you can do with new flooring, and a general contractor can help you accomplish your vision.  

Outdoor spaces.  There are many things you can do to your outdoor space to either update its look or change its purpose and function altogether.  Common outdoor renovations include pool and hot tub installations, decks, screened in patios, barbecue grill stations, fire pits, outdoor kitchenettes, and more.

Renovations that Add Real Value to Your Home

People remodel their homes for a variety of reasons, ranging from the purely aesthetic to the purely economic.  If you want to be sure that the money you put into renovating your home will eventually increase your bottom line, then you need to invest in only value-adding improvements.  Read on to learn more about specific renovations that add the most value to your home:

Kitchen.  As previously mentioned, this is one of the most expensive home improvement projects you can take on.  However, it is also the single biggest renovation there is when it comes to increasing your home’s value.

Master bathroom.  Next to the kitchen, the master bathroom is the most valued (in terms of money) space in a home.  To get the most out of your bathroom renovation budget, incorporate luxury upgrades like a whirlpool tub, a bidet, his and her sinks, heated towel bars, a steam shower enclosure, and custom tile work into your remodel design.

Landscaping.  Curb appeal can go a long way in increasing your home’s value, so you shouldn’t neglect this important home renovation project, even if it can only be seen from the outside.  Consider everything from driveway pavers to window shutters to perennials to give your outdoor space that extra wow factor.

How to Find Qualified General Contractors

There are plenty of reputable general contractors out there, just waiting to bid on your home improvement project.  You just need to know where to find them.  Need some guidance?  Here are some tips for how to find qualified general contractors:

Word of mouth.  The best way to find a general contractor you can trust is to ask those people you can trust for their recommendations.

Builders’ association listings.  Contact your local builders’ association for a list of qualified general contractors in your area.  To find your area builders’ association, visit the National Association of Home Builders website at NAHB.org.

Online research.  A quick online search will supply you with a number of general contractors local to you.  While you are there, be sure to visit the contractor websites and read online reviews on sites like Yelp and Google Places.

Realtors.  There are realtors and real estate brokerages that specialize in new construction.  These professional resources should be able to provide you with the names of some top-notch local general contractors.

What to Look for in a General Contractor

Not all general contractors are created equal.  Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to weed out the good from the bad without ample research, and that means knowing how to screen prospective candidates for your project.  Here are some guidelines for what to look for in a general contractor:

Reputation.  There is perhaps no better indicator of a general contractor’s competence and reliability than that contractor’s reputation.  When you research general contractors online pay special attention to things like blog posts, social media messages, and customer reviews related to the contractor in question.

Licensing.  General contractors must be licensed by your state or local government to work as a contractor in your area.  Licensing is your proof that a general contractor has earned the experience and knowledge necessary to qualify for such credentialing.

Insurance.  Your general contractor of choice should be insured for at least the amount of your renovation’s value.  This is your assurance that you will be covered if the job doesn’t go as planned and you find yourself facing costly damages.

References.  A general contractor bidding for your project should provide you with some references that you can call on to affirm that the contractor in question is a good choice for you.  When you call references, be sure to ask about everything from work ethic to neatness on the job.  It’s a good idea to prepare a list of questions before you make your calls.

Interview.  Once you’ve narrowed down your candidates list to a manageable size, you need to sit face to face with each general contractor you are considering.  During these interviews, it is important that you ask any questions you have about your project, the materials available to you, costs, timeframe, and number of persons who will be working on your project.  It is also a good idea to verify that the contractor you are interviewing will actually be the person supervising the job, and that the work done will be backed by a guarantee, in writing.

Cost.  While you should never choose a general contractor based solely on what that contractor is charging (i.e. the cheapest contractor is not necessarily the best one for the job), cost should be a consideration in the process.  Your contractor’s bid should be reasonable when compared to other bids for the same job.  Bids that are exceptionally higher or lower than average are cause for suspicion.

How are General Contractors Paid?

Of course, different contractors will charge in different ways, and in different amounts, for the same job.  Therefore, it is a good idea that you understand charging methods that general contractors may use.  Read on to learn how general contractors are paid:

Labor and materials.  Some general contractors outline for you the cost of labor and materials for completing your project, and then mark those prices up to account for their compensation.

Flat fee.  You may be offered flat fee bids, in which every part of the job is covered under one charge, and that dollar amount will not change, even if the job lasts longer (or shorter) than expected.

Percentage of costs.  This method involves charging a predetermined percentage amount of the total cost of the project.  It is commonly used for ongoing, extended projects, as costs can change when project details change.

Conclusion

Many people come to rely on the knowledge and skill of a general contractor at some point in time, and for a wide variety of reasons.  If you have a building or renovation project that needs the attention of a professional, contact the experts at Heritage Siding Window and Roofing Company. We can be reached by phone, at 508.529,6887, or via email: iiinfo@HeritageSidingWindows.com

Article Submitted By

Kevin Mclaughlin of

Heritage Siding Window and Roofing Company 508.529.6887

General Contractor Framingham Ma