When selecting the right contractor for your home renovation project, the vetting process is critical to having the right outcome. Don’t just go with whomever your neighbor used. It’s important to interview a few contractors to find the best one for your project and with a personality you can work with. It starts by visiting the office. Take a look at the place they work from, meet the office manager or secretary (you’ll be in frequent communication), and definitely get introduced to the owner.
Here are some other things to ask:
- May I see a copy of your license? (Also check with the State license board for pending complaints)
- How long have you been in business?
- How many jobs like mine have you done? May I visit one under construction (and see photos of completed work)?
- Do you have direct employees? If so, may I see your workers’ compensation insurance certificate?
- If contractor is a design/build concept, ask if they’ll be supplying plans, permits in their name, and be liable for all necessities from City inspections.
- Would there be project manager on site? Who and how often?
- What is your daily cleanup procedure?
- How long have you worked with your subcontractors, and do they have their own workers’ comp and liability insurance?
- Approximately how long would my project take you to complete?
Manage Your Expectations
Every construction job comes down to cost. Walk around your house with the contractor and make sure you know exactly what is covered by the bid. It’s good to figure an extra 10-20% (depending on job size) for unexpected things that come up.
Living through a construction project can be wearying, so know what you’re in for. Contractors, by law, have to say when they’ll start; i.e., within 5 days of receiving permits and often completing the job within 90-120 working days for small projects or as much as 180 for larger ones. Be sure to anticipate weather delays, and also ask what hours they work.
At the end of the project, your contractor should be someone you’d be glad to run into at the grocery store. At D’Ambra Construction, we’ve been making friends with our Huntington Beach clients for over 50 years. Give us a call and ask your questions.
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