7 Step Building Process

1. Know what you want - It is a good idea, to thoroughly plan your Project to the best of your ability. If you think you need design or architectural assistance check out or preferred vendors list.

2. Communicate clearly - After you know what it is that you want, set a meeting with your contractor. Be sure that you both have a clear understanding of what work is to be done. Your contractor will listen and then offer suggestions and ideas to help you. Good communication is absolutely vital for a successful job.

3. Thoroughly review your estimate - Make sure your comparing estimates “apples to apples”. Often estimates are not pricing the same services or materials. Generally due to miscommunication. Price is often based on the level of quality you are looking for. Understand that if you accept the lowest bid, do not expect the quality of work that would have been obtained under a higher bid. The true professionals in this business are very competitive.

4. Investigate your contractor - (Note: It is very important to verify that your contractor is insured, has multiple references and is a licensed business). Get a certificate of insurance. Contact references and recognized organizations.

5. Choose your contractor - To insure that your construction experience is a good one, we strongly suggest asking the following questions of a contractor before starting a project.

  • Is the contractor insured to protect your home or business with liability? Ask for proof of insurance or get a certificate of insurance. I can not stress how important this is…
  • Does the contractor have a permit or license to work in your city? If they don’t they are operating illegally. If they are running an illegal business, they are not going to take care of you.
  • Will the contractor provide complete written specifications: a detailed contract with a start date? This is where all miscommunications are cleared up. If you don’t have a contract, then you don’t have an official agreement. With out an official agreement, you have nothing.
  • Does the contractor provide a written warranty on their work? Would you buy anything of substantial value with out a warranty?
  • Has the contractor been in business long enough to have a reputation? If someone tells you they have been in business for more than a few years and they can not provide proof of business, insurance or a single reference, then there is something wrong.
  • Will the contractor provide references, pictures or even jobsite tours? Often times substandard contractors will bail out of the deal as soon as you ask for references. I highly recommend not doing business with these people.
  • Does the contractor have a written change order policy for variations in the original contract? Changes are alterations to the contract. They should be treated as such. Be prepared to pay extra and be patient because the job’s estimated time frame will increase. Contractors who don’t use change orders have to take short cuts to offset the cost. Short cuts are not recommended…
  • Will the contractor return client phone calls or e-mails in a timely manner? If a contractor won’t even contact you back, do you think he is going to provide you with good service?
  • Will the contractor provide information on all necessary permits for your project? They will if they know what they are doing.
  • Does the contractor have a designated specialist assigned to each project from start to finish? This is really important. There are more than a few companies in town that send a sales rep to sell you the job. After you have been sold, you may never see that person again. The company sends workers or subs to your home with a vague work order to do a job they have never even seen before. Often the company will send different workers to the job each day. Always having some one new to try to figure out what the person before them was doing. This type of business approach almost always turns out poorly. The customer gets frustrated. The job goes over schedule. And the workmanship is substandard at best. Investigate and ask questions…

6. Have a detailed contract - Make sure you have a detailed contract that you are comfortable with pertaining to the estimate. This should include a minimum of the specifications of all duties to be performed, payments schedules, encumbrances, responsibilities and a start date. Remember communication is the key!

7. Start construction. – If you fallow these guild lines the chances of you having a bad experience are going to be greatly diminished. So relax, in knowing you have made the right decision.

 

For any questions feel free to contact us.