Choosing the right contractor

Choosing the right contractor for your project can be complicated and time-consuming, but a little forethought and research will make the process much smoother. Follow these tips for choosing the right person for the job.

• Before you even call a company, ask relatives, friends, and co-workers if they have recently hired a construction company.  You will be surprised how many people will have either recently had a remodeling job done or know of someone who has, i.e. a neighbor or relative of their.
• When you call a company to request an estimate, consider how your inquiry was handled.  If you are not satisfied with how you were treated initially, imagine how you will be cared for if you used their services and had to call back with a problem.
• Be sure your contractor is licensed. All contractors in the state of California are required to have a license number issued by the Contractors State License Board. Make sure that the contractor is insured and licensed. Be certain he carries either "Workers Compensation" or "General Liability" Insurance.
• Management, sales and office staff -
  Be sure your contractor has the appropriate support staff to keep you informed. An administrative team and customer service person are a must. Sales staff should be trained and up to date on the latest technologies, they need to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of the products they are trying to sell. The very best sales people are those who have been applicators themselves.
• Insist that contractors come to the site to quote prices and make sure all general contractors are bidding on the same specifications. Always get a written quote with a materials list.
•  It is very important to make sure that everything is in writing! This is the best way to prevent problems before they even begin. The contract protects you and the contractor by including everything you have both agreed upon. If everything is spelled out, you are protected against unnecessary change orders.
• Are you required to pay a down payment? If you are, the down payment should never be more than the legal percentage allowed in your state. In California the maximum deposit is not to be more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. The payment schedule varies according to the size and scope of the project, but make sure it is spelled out in the contract. The final payment should be held back until all work is completed to your satisfaction.
• Low Bids-Are they really a good thing?
  Finally, beware of the low bid. If there is more than a 15% disparity between the lowest and the next lowest bid, ask the lowest bidder to look over their bid sheet for possible errors. If it looks too good to be true it probably is. There is a saying among roofers on large or complex jobs that whoever made the biggest mistake will get the job.
• Although the bottom line is important, never compare estimates only by the overall cost to you.
  Trust your instincts.  You should never base your decision on price alone.

Follow  these 9 tips and you have good chances of a great experience with your contractor.

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