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General Contractors

General contractors offer experience, save money

If you have a substantial project with several different independent contractors or subcontractors, it pays to hire a qualified general contractor to oversee your project. They are experienced at organizing and scheduling work, negotiating terms, and getting you the best value for your money. A common refrain among homeowners who have acted as their own general contractor is often, "If I´d known how much work it was, I would have hired a general contractor to do it for me." A general contractor knows where the trouble spots are and can head them off before they derail the project.

Your general contractor (GC) is the key to bringing a high quality job in on time for the budgeted amount. To make sure your contractor is going to perform for you, the following points can help qualify his expertise.

About the General Contractor	What to look for
Can GC provide a copy of contractor´s license, insurance coverage, and workers´ comp insurance?	The contractor must be able to provide copies. Make sure the license is current and that the insurance coverage extends over the projected term of your project. Call the contractor´s board for your state to verify that the contractor is in good standing.
Type of experience and references	How long a general contractor has been in business is not necessarily an indication of quality or effectiveness. Get references, then contact them. Ask to see projects completed or in progress. How many projects does the GC run concurrently? Will he be able to give you the kind of commitment and time you deserve? What about experience with your type of project?
Business name	Make sure the general contractor has not done business in another state, then bailed leaving angry customers behind, only to change his name and start over in your neighborhood. He should be able to provide a coherent, stable business history.
Contract	Read the contract and watch for any terminology that appears to restrict your rights. Clarify every term and item that you don´t understand. Don´t sign a contract until you understand your rights and obligations as well as the GC´s responsibilities to you.
Warranties offered	The warranty policies and terms must be spelled out clearly in the contract.
Project supervision	Will the GC supervise the project himself or assign a site supervisor? Controlling subcontractors is essential to a successful project, so a commitment to good oversight is vital. If the GC assigns a site supervisor, ask to approve him.
Change orders	Does the GC charge for change orders? How often does he initiate them? What is his average per project? This is important to know before you sign the contract. A few is okay. A lot is a red flag and can cost you substantially more over the life of the project.
Subcontractors	Ask the GC to provide a complete list of the subcontractors for your project. There are two good reasons for knowing this: if you know who the subcontractors are, you can double check their credentials and reputations, and you can verify that they´ve been paid. Subcontractors who have not been paid can hit you with a "mechanic´s lien" and you´ll have to pay twice for their work.

How to get estimates for General Contractors.

Submit our form. The short form on the service pages identifies your ZIP code location. When you enter your ZIP code and submit, it takes you to service type/task form.
Once you've submitted your request, your project is matched against contractors qualified for your job.
Up to four contractors contact you.
You interview each contractor, take their bid, and make your choice.

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