5 Things To Know & Understand Before Working With A General Contractor

Posted on 6th November 2023

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Working with a general contractor may become burdensome if you just hire them without knowing and understanding some necessary details. There are so many issues that you have to face first before sealing their services.

General contractors may be the best people you can hire to handle the nitty-gritty details of your project. But it’s best to look further than what they represent because they might be things that can affect your contract later on.

Some Things to Consider Before Working with a General Contractor

Contractor’s Credentials and Licensing

The most important requirement that you need to ask from your contractor-to-be is their licenses and other credentials. It’s a requirement that will help you avoid legal issues if you hire their services. 

You need to check if the contractor you’re to hire is licensed, insured, and bonded. It ensures that they meet the needed legal requirements to protect both of you should accidents or disputes happen. If they don’t have these basic requirements, your project’s success and investment might be at risk.

Of course, your contractor will not rush to sign an agreement with you without guarding their interests, like making sure you can really pay off. So, even if contractor credentials and licensing are quite significant, your capacity to pay the contractor is also vital.

Client References and Past Work

It’s okay to ask for references and past work details from your contractors. Actually, it’s a common thing in the construction business. It would be best if you had them to be able to decide fair and square of their fitness to do the job for you. 

You can also talk to their past clients to know how well they work and how they can be competent enough for your project’s requirements. Knowing how well they work and their performance or craftsmanship will help you make a well-informed choice. 

Room for Clear Communication

You and your contractor must speak the same language about the project’s outcome. You need to lay on the table every expectation and issue that the project suffers along the way. Effective communication is crucial because one misunderstanding can make or break your construction. 

So, make sure you’re both on the same page regarding your project’s goals, budget, and timeline estimates. Otherwise, a little misunderstanding may lead to costly delays or damage.

Presence of Detailed Contracts

You must openly discuss your project plans and details with the contractor before hiring their services. It must thoroughly cover everything needed, like materials, design, and overall scope of work. 

There’s also a need for you to discuss and agree on payment terms, timelines, and other specifics. Your contract has to be specifically detailed to be like a roadmap for your project from start to finish. Your agreement must at least outline and protect both your and your contractor’s best interests. 

Your builder need not worry about how to ask for a contractor deposit if it’s clearly stated in your contract. You can also be confident to ask for a performance bond to protect your interests if it’s part of your agreement.

 

Secure Financial Details

Your project cannot become real if you don’t have the money for it. You need to consider your budget, payment schedule, permits, and regulations. They are vital considerations to avoid financial surprises, like emergency purchases and related activities. These might drain your budget without finishing the project.

The local building codes and permits required for your project may also affect your finances if not taken into account during your project’s planning. There might also be other issues like subcontractors and subcontractors that you have to look into. It’s best to know how the general contractor plans to work with them, as they’ll also affect your project’s timeline.

These financial details may seem burdensome, but this could turn into a big headache over time. So it’s best to face them head-on. It’s to relieve you of most of the stress as you work your way towards project completion.