Planning a makeover for your home this new year?
Hiring the right general contractor can make all the difference. Renovating your home is a huge investment. Knowing what to expect before the renovation begins will help you be prepared. It will determine the quality and timeliness of the work, and the amount of emotional and financial stress you’ll have to deal with.
Luckily, there are questions to ask a general contractor that can help you find the best fit for your project. Here are 6 questions to ask before you hire a general contractor.
- Are you a licensed professional?
This is a make-or-break question. Verify that the subcontractors used by the GC such as plumbers, electricians, and HVAC personnel are licensed. You should employ someone who is authorized since they are required to build everything to legal requirements, which is critical when you plan to sell your property in the future. Licenses are either granted by states or local municipalities/counties. Inquire for their license number and check for expiration dates.
- How long have you been in business?
When you pick a more experienced firm to work with, you have the assurance that they will have a proven, effective method in place to complete tasks professionally. Choosing a contractor with at least a few years of proven success is always preferable. If you’ve discovered a contractor that fulfills your precise requirements but lacks expertise and accreditation, consider subcontracting them out to complete a lesser task. Then assess their performance and determine whether to employ them for bigger work if they pass the test.
When you need a top-notch general contractor in Humble, TX, look no further than J&M Construction & Remodeling. We have been the area’s premier general contractor for over 40 years.
- Do you have a portfolio of your previous work?
Many contractors and their respected businesses will take photos and maintain records of prior jobs. Request some photographs of previous tasks to get an idea of their quality. If you want to go the extra mile, get references and ask their previous client some questions to do a quality check:
- Were you satisfied with the results of the project?
- Did the project match your budget and was it completed on time?
- If any, what types of problems or delays occurred?
- Would you hire the general contractor again?
If you’re not comfortable making the calls yourself, you could always go through the Google reviews of an established business.
- Will you also take care of all the permits required?
Permits are required for nearly all improvements done to a residential or commercial property. Fences, driveways, roofing, swimming pools, as well as any electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or general construction of a structure, require a building permit. A structure includes the main building as well as accessory buildings such as a storage unit, gazebo, etc. (BorderTx, 2022)
It is a time-consuming and somewhat costly process to collect the required building permits, so we recommend having your contractor do this for you.
- Will you provide proof of insurance & worker compensation?
You want your contractor to have insurance. General liability protects you against paying compensation if you are damaged or injured by a third party’s negligence. Accidents may happen in the blink of an eye. When your contractor is fully covered, it gives you peace of mind.
No matter how big or little the job, every homeowner should evaluate potential contractors’ skills and suitability to complete renovation objectives. Keep these questions in mind when you hire a general contractor. If your contractor can easily and readily answer all these questions, you can be rest assured you’ve done your best in choosing the best.
Work with a Qualified Partner
Working with a highly qualified partner helps assure that your home remodeling project goes smoothly. Planning to remodel or build your new home? No matter what you have in mind, choose the right company to handle the project. Schedule remodeling services from J&M Construction & Remodeling. Our staff works with you to understand your needs. After we’re done, you’re sure to love the freshly remodeled rooms of your Humble or Kingwood, TX home. Call us at (281) 359-3550 to get started.
Work Cited
- When are permits required? When are Permits Required? | Borger, TX. (n.d.). Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.borgertx.gov/359/When-are-Permits-Required