Why Right Now is the Best Time to Hire a Contractor

Timing is one thing many Northern Michigan homeowners get wrong when trying to hire a contractor for their projects. If you’re serious about getting a project done this year, you may be too late if you don’t get a contractor lined up while the snow is still falling.

As a contractor who gets regular calls asking for our services, I am still a bit surprised by how out-of-sync with the construction cycle some prospective clients can be. If you want us to paint the exterior of your house and don’t call until September, you are too late. If you wait until summer to start looking for someone to build a deck, good contractors may already be booked up. You might find someone last minute, but you may not be getting the cream of the crop if you wait too long. Here are a few suggestions for getting your timing right.

1. Have a plan in hand. Architects and structural engineers in our area have full plates. Get with them early or search online for ready-made blueprints or drafting services. It can move the process along if you have plans that are ready for the builder and zoning and building administrators.
2. There are a few contractors who take the winter off, but most of us are working all year around — rain, snow, or shine. To have the best crew available, I need to keep them fully employed year around. Building in the winter does add some cost to your project, but don’t assume that your contractor can’t break ground until the ground thaws.
3. Some of summer resorts limit construction during the peak season. If an association bans construction from early July until Labor Day, there isn’t a whole lot of “bumper season” left over. Mid-May can still be too cold at night for paint to properly cure. October tends to be too wet for some exterior work. Even if you aren’t in an association with such restrictions, the associations’ schedules may impact your contractor’s availability.
4. Zoning and building permits can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month for approval. If you live in a town or township that requires a zoning permit, you may need to have a site plan for your property, as well as a building permit. Surveyors can provide those for you if you need one.

Finally, meet your contractor in person before hiring them. If you don’t live Up North all year round, take some time to come up in the off season to line up a contractor so your project is on track for the coming construction season.

Build On,

Rich