Setting Expectations with Your Contractor

Time to hire a construction contractor, joy! For many, this can be an intimidating and overwhelming thought process. And rightfully so, investing in your most prized possession should be well thought out, calculated, and planned. Here is an introductory checklist of things you should seek and expect when hiring a contractor.

The Finished Product

Be upfront and open with your contractor. You have saved up, worked hard for, and are ready to transform your property. Be completely transparent with exactly what you want, down to the very last detail. Your contractor will assist with options, but the bottom line is that you need to LOVE the idea of the finished product. 

Timeline

Timelines are not only important, but they are extremely necessary. Work diligently on your timeline with your contractor. This will set a standard of benchmarks for completion, assess the progress, and create an expectation that your contractor can be held to.

Credentials

ABSOLUTELY ASK FOR a copy of your contractor’s license and insurance policy. Not only does this affirm that your contractor takes their business seriously, but it protects you from a multitude of potential issues. You have a homeowner’s insurance policy, and anyone making substantial changes and improvement to your home needs an insurance policy as well. Without a verified license and insurance policy, you leave yourself open to a flaky and unreliable contractor performing below satisfactory work.

Interview

Take the time to shop around. Interview multiple contractors to find the best fit for your project. Much like a boss interviews a potential employee, you as well shall interview your potential contractor. After all, you are hiring them to provide a service for you. Take into consideration things like their past projects, references, credibility, reliability, and most importantly their moral and ethical compass. 

Pricing

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PAYING! Make sure to obtain a solid estimate with accurate breakdowns of labor, materials, supplies, permits, and so on. Estimates are not exact; however, a well calculated estimate will point you in a specific direction of the total cost. If there is a change order in store, know the cost of each change and how it will affect the total price.Overall, make sure your contractor is a stand up, representable individual. They will be working on your property. You worked hard to obtain it, and they should consider that every step of the way. Your contractor works for you, they should be ethically prompted to provide a fiduciary benefit to you.