Interviewing a General Contractor to Build or Remodel Your Home Part Two

Posted on: June 26, 2007

Taking on a construction project can be overwhelming, expensive, and extremely frustrating, so it’s important that you that the necessary steps to make the project rewarding and cost effective. I am a designer who works on both residential and commercial properties. I hope these tips will help make your residential project a successful experience. In Part One of this series I offered tips on generating a list of qualified contractors. The next step is interviewing your short list of general contractors.

Meet with each contractor with the purpose of getting acquainted with their personality, style, and the services they offer. It is important you feel comfortable with their experience, knowledge, communication, and organizational skills. Remember that you will be working closely with your contractor; therefore you will want someone who listens to your ideas and concerns.

Ask to review all the documents which the contractor intends to provide you during the construction process. These documents should include, but not limited to, a contract, specification sheet, invoice, change order, client approval form, and warranties. Be sure the contractor’s business methods are specific and cover all aspects of the construction process. Keep a log of conversations and copies of all documents, correspondence, canceled checks, etc. If problems develop later, the project is documented.

Specify your expectations of a contractor. You may want to ask the following questions before you make these important decisions:

1. How much time will the contractor commit to my project and will they be able to meet my deadlines?
   
2. Will the contractor be working on other projects at the same time?
   
3. Who will I be able to call when I have questions once the construction starts?
   
4. Will he/she provide construction drawings, and at what point will they be presented to me?
   
5. Will the contractor do all the work or will other people involved? If others are employed to do all or a portion of the work, what are their names and phone numbers? (If they are not employees of the contractor, then it is important to obtain their CCB number and make sure it’s still active. Keep in mind that a license is not an endorsement of the quality of work. It provides some financial protection for you, the customer.)
   
6. Who will get the permits if they are required?
   
7. What written warranties does the contractor offer?
   
8. If problems occur during construction, when and how will they be handled?
   
9. Will the contractor schedule and supervise all the work or will I be expected to do some of the work?
   
10. Who will be responsible for purchasing the necessary materials to complete the job?
    
11. Who will be responsible for hauling away the construction debris?
    
12. Will the contractor include a follow-up meeting after the project is completed?
    

Next post I will cover what to do after the interviews are complete, and what to consider when choosing a general contractor.

Article written by Mary Stevens; she is the founder and owner of Interactive Homes, which offers design consultations for custom homes, remodeling plans, interior design, and home staging services.