Whether you are building a brand new structure or you are adding an addition onto an already existing structure, you are going to require the assistance of a general contractor.
General contractors are the head of construction projects. They supply the necessary labor, tools and materials that are needed to complete the project, they supervise the process and they ensure that everything is properly attended to and goes smoothly. Essentially, a general contractor is at the helm of a construction project.
Because the role of a germantown general contractor is so important to the success of a construction project, you are going to want to make sure that you choose the best person for the job. Unfortunately, some general contractors aren’t as qualified as they let on. To help you guarantee you are selecting someone that you can rely on and who will get the job done, here is a look at some of the signs of a quality general contractor.
A Permanent Location
One of the first tell-tale signs of a quality general contractor is his or her location. A quality general contractor will have a permanent location that includes a physical address, a telephone number and a tax ID number. If the contractor does not have a permanent location, be wary. The individual could take your money and up and disappear without completing the project, and you will have no way of locating him or her.
License and Insurance
All quality general contractors will have the proper licensing and insurance and will have no problem showing you the paperwork that verifies this. Make sure to ask the contractor you are considering hiring to present you with the documents that feature his or her license, bonding and insurance. Also, make certain that the contractor has insurance that not only covers the services that are offered, such as general liability, but also has worker’s compensation insurance. If the contractor does not have the proper insurance, you could end up being responsible for costly expenses if an accident or injury occurs on your job site.
References
Another sure sign of a quality general contractor is references. Most high quality contractors will hold onto information for customers they have worked with in the past as referrals. Ask contractors you are considering working with if they will supply you with references; if the contractor is reputable, he or she will not have a problem honoring your request. Don’t just ask for the references; make sure you contact them, too. Ask those references about their experience with the contractor, including his or her reliability, professionalism and quality of the work that was done.
Past Work
In addition to asking for references, ask if you can see completed projects that the general contractor headed. Photos will give you a good idea, but if you want to see concrete examples, ask if you can a tour of some of the completed projects.
If the general contractor you choose meets these criteria, you can be confident that your project will be a success.