Finding a general contractor in Maryland is no easy task. With so many to choose from, where do you even begin? Well, you can start with this blog! This week, we’ve compiled a list of basic tips for finding the right contractor for your job. Browse through our list and make sure to keep it handy when you’re conducting your search!
Here are a few tips to help you find the right general contractor in Maryland for your job.
3 Tips for Finding a General Contractor in Maryland
Do Lots of Background Research
Thanks to the Internet, there are plenty of resources you can use to do background research on contractors before you even make a call. Check sites you trust to look for ratings and reviews of contractors in your area. Read through reviews to see what experiences clients have had with contractors you’re interested in.
Offline, talk to people in your industry to see if they’ve had experiences with any local contractors. People you trust may be able to recommend a good contractor.
Once you’ve found a few contractors you want to learn more about, look at their websites. Find out information like what qualifications they have and how long they’ve been in business, and of course, make sure they’re licensed and insured.
Ask Lots of Questions
Once you’ve narrowed down the list of contractors to a few that you want to reach out to, it’s time to make another list: a list of questions to ask. This is an important part of the process of finding a general contractor in Maryland, as these questions will give you a good feel for what you can expect from the contractor. A few good questions to ask are:
- What are some examples of projects you’ve done that are similar to mine?
- Can I have a list of references and contact information for a number of projects you’ve done?
- What kind of insurance do you have? (They should have personal liability, worker’s compensation, and property damage coverage. Make sure they verify this with copies of current insurance certificates.)
- Are your subcontractors licensed and insured?
Get Written and Itemized Estimates and Contracts
A good contractor will always give you a written estimate and will be willing to explain what all the costs are for. When you choose a contractor and get a final contract, make sure it is itemized with a list of all materials that will be used, as well as the budgeted allowance for materials that will be selected later.
The contract should also include information such as:
- The payment schedule for the contractor, subs, and suppliers.
- Estimated dates of start and completion.
- Confirmation that the contractor will secure all necessary permits.
- Warranty information for all materials and worksmanship.
- Information on what the contractor will do when it comes to site clean-up.
About Mahogany, Inc.
Mahogany, Inc. is a general contractor specializing in quality construction for projects across a wide range of industries. Located in southwest Baltimore, we employ 100 persons, and are one of the largest minority owned businesses in the state of Maryland. Make sure to check back with our blog every week for the latest industry related information. For more information, you can contact us at 410.727.0334, or email us. We look forward to hearing from you!