Tips for Choosing the Best Building Contractor

22 Dec Tips for Choosing the Best Building Contractor

The quality of the contractor affects construction and remodeling just as much as the materials used. Bad experiences are hard to forget — you have to live with their mistakes — while great experiences can bring added value long after the pleasant process concludes.

At Mcneil Construction, we would love to serve as your building contractor if we are the best match for you and your needs. Here are some tips that we have found useful for homeowners and buyers seeking the right building contractor:

Look for Relevant Experience

You probably don’t want to hire a bathroom contractor for a full-scale new construction home. Nor should you hire someone whose office is 100 miles away if they do not typically build or remodel in your neighborhood. Whether it’s portfolio examples or site visits, familiarity with the scope, style, and location helps prevent unforeseen problems during the build.

Why Not Just Choose the Lowest Bid?

Accepting the lowest bid has often been called a huge mistake, but it’s still tempting to let an attractive price steer you in the wrong direction. The problem is twofold: the lowest bid is probably artificial and does not include everything in the higher bids; and the building contractor who bids lowest may lack the necessary skills and experience. Like making a selection from a wine list, it’s worth bumping up from the lowest price point.

Get Everything in Writing

Contractors make countless decisions throughout the project, and it’s good to limit how many of those decisions are made without your knowledge or consent.

• Materials to be used (and when substitutions may be made)
• Timeframe with benchmarks and goals
• How cost overruns will be handled
• Services that are not included
• Which work will be done by subcontractors

Certifications Matter

In California, projects exceeding $500 in costs require a license from the Contractor’s State License Board. But there are numerous other certifications and organizational memberships that add credibility to a building contractor. We are a LEED Platinum Builder, for instance, so we can back up our claims of using eco-friendly materials and processes. A building contractor may have membership in an industry group like the National Kitchen & Bath Association as well, showing a commitment to that line of work.

Certifications do not guarantee high quality, but they do increase the odds of making the right selection. After all, you want a building contractor with experience, education, and a reputation at stake.

Know the Red Flags of a Bad Contractor

It’s all too easy for a bad building contractor to maintain a license and positive online reviews despite a flawed or missing track record of success. The warning signs include:

• Too-good-to-be-true bids and special deals
• No physical business address, spotty contact info
• Few employees (all work gets subcontracted to unskilled labor)
• Huge down payments
• Lack of references and portfolio

Use Interviews, Check References, and Trust Your Gut

Choosing the best building contractor involves more work than typical comparison shopping — you’re essentially hiring an employee. Just as a business would check references and conduct a series of interviews with several candidates, you should vet your contractors thoroughly. With all the cards on the table, you can feel good about the decision you want to make.

We’d be delighted to have your consideration for the building contractor of your new home or remodeling project in the California area. Get in touch with us at Mcneil Construction, to learn more about our building processes.