Learn how to choose the right general contractor for your upcoming project.
Choosing a home designer and general contractor is the first step on your road to achieving a beautiful finished project. Check out these tips for making the best choice.
Recommendations
Start your quest to find a great general contractor by reaching out to your community. This includes your neighbors, friends, and family members. Gather their recommendations to start compiling a list of professionals you’d like to contact. You’ll also be able to ask them about their experiences working with these professionals and their suggestions on the best way to contact them. They may even have some insight about their availability for your project.
Conduct Interviews and Meetings
Call the possible contractors and schedule phone interviews or face-to-face meetings. Have a list of questions prepared that you’d like to ask, including if they take on projects of your size, can they provide you with a list of references, and how many other projects they currently manage.
Do Your Research
Now it’s time to do some research. Get online and research reviews from people who have worked with the contractors on your list. Most reputable contractors have websites that you can refer to for more information about their business and experience. If they have examples of their work on the site, visit the locations yourself to survey its current state. If former clients are listed, call them for their opinions of working with that particular general contractor.
Get Bids
Be prepared to give your potential contractors a copy of your blueprints and your complete plans for the project. From supplying that information, they’ll be able to provide you with bids for the work, that you’ll compare. Remember to ask for a breakdown of the costs of materials, labor, other expenses, and even profit margins. In general, keep in mind that materials usually account for about 40 percent of the overall project budget.
Think of the Big Picture
Don’t automatically choose the lowest price just because it’s the most attractive. Think of the big picture and combine the whole of each factor in your consideration process. Consider not only the technical abilities of the contractor but how well they communicate. Entrust your investments with someone that you are comfortable speaking to and with whom you feel comfortable working.
PARTNER WITH A SKILLED CRAFTSMAN FROM MAHOGANY, INC.
Mahogany Inc. is a general contractor that specializes in quality construction for residential and commercial projects. We have the expertise and experience to tackle whatever your custom woodwork job is (and acquire those hard to find woods you might want to use!). If you are looking for work that will set your living room, kitchen, or business apart, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 727-0334. To see examples of our wonderful work and see what our customers have to say, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.