Most people opt to hire a general contractor rather than hiring various pros such as electricians, plumbers, and masons on their own. In addition to hiring such subcontractors, the general contractor can: supervise subcontractors and deal with their excuses and problems; modify an architect’s plans as unexpected structural problems appear; buy supplies and materials. While a good general contractor can go a long way toward making remodeling life more comfortable, the wise homeowner will watch out for himself as well.

Here are a few tips for hiring general contractors: Check current references of all contractors. Pay as little as you can up front He who holds the money controls the project.                              

Finding You Perfect Match

To find a reliable and competent contractor, match your needs to the capabilities of the person or company bidding the job. You don’t prune houseplants with a chain saw; likewise, you don’t need a Fortune 500 company to replace a leaky faucet.

There are mainly four types of contractors:

• Repair workers: The jack-of-all trades maintenance person is line for small jobs—replacing a door, adding a new window, or minor repair work. These people usually work alone or with one helper. Many re-retirees who just enjoy staying busy. When the job is small, go with a repair worker to have money.

• Tradespeople: When you have a large project that involves a single trade,  ave money by hiring those tradespeople yourself. Example: You want to install outdoor lighting around your deck—hire an electrical contractor. You want just a new sink or tub—hire a plumbing contractor. Most will handle the entire job (even if there is a little carpentry involved) themselves.

• General contractors: For work that requires two or more specialized trades, hire a general contractor. This company or person manages the project from start to finish, gives you a single bid, hires and schedules all the subcontractors, and resolves glitches that arise from coordinating tradespeople.

• Design/build firms: This is a new and growing category, offering architectural design long with the services of a general contractor. Most charge a fee (in the $50-$150 range) for drawings and estimates. However, you get to see what your project will look like before it’s too late for changes. If you plan to substantially alter the look of your home or build new—and you’re not hiring an architect—a design/build contractor is highly recommended.

SHORTLISTING  POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

Finding the perfect contractor is largely a matter of Legwork. Ask friends, family, or business acquaintances who have experienced—and happily survived—recent projects. If you’ve seen work you liked, contact the homeowners and ask for a reference. Call each of your prospects to get a bid. The pre-bid meeting is the most important in the entire process. You’ll get a first impression of how well you like the contractors, and the contractors will discuss your ideas, explore potential improvements or plan changes, and discuss materials and products to he used. To gel an accurate bid, you and the contractor need to communicate clearly on these matters. Don’t hesitate to ask tough questions. Any good contractor fully expects this. Here are some questions you need to ask.

• Where is your office?

Many of the world’s great craftspeople work out of a garage. Then again, so do many of the world’s best rip-off artists. Home offices may be line, but they generally indicate a small business.

• How long have you been in business?

Simply put, the longer the better.

• Who is your banker?

 Find out who finances the contractor’s business needs and contact them. Ask about the business’s solvency. You don’t want your contractor to go bankrupt in the middle of your project.

• Do you carry insurance?

 No insurance, no business. Make that a firm rule. Ask for written proof.
Otherwise, you are liable for everything. Most contractors carry a card or certificate of insurance, including coverage for property damage, liability, and worker’s compensation.

• Do you belong to any trade groups?

 Membership in any national building or remodeling trade association is a plus. Again, ask for written proof. Likewise, membership in a local civic group is a good sign.

• Can you give references?

Ask for previous customers, especially those who had projects similar to yours. Call them or go lake a look at the work; check with recent customers and those who have lived with their projects for two or three years. Another reference is the Better Business Bureau. Most BBBs won’t endorse specific firms but can tell you if complaints have been lodged against a particular contractor.

THE BIDDING PROCESS

You can’t compare bids unless you compare apples to apples. So whenever you request bids from contractors, specify exactly what you want in terms of plans, details, and materials. Inform all the bidders if you decide to make any changes. Likewise, each contractor should give you only one price: the total out-of-pocket costs to you, including labor, materials, subcontractors, taxes, and fees. Don’t automatically choose the lowest bid. Instead, concentrate on those that are within 15 to 20 percent of each other. If there are big difference among bids, probe for the reasons; you may not be getting a fair comparison.