What makes a reliable contractor?

Five qualities to look for in a general contractor include experience, reputation, integrity, flexibility and the ability to listen.

• 1. Experience
  A good general contractor is a tradesman with experience in every aspect of construction from basic repairs to designing and building homes. While most general contractors hire subcontractors, it is imperative that they understand how to do the job themselves. They are the ones that take responsibility, schedules the work and assures that every subcontractor completes their tasks on time and to the highest level of quality.
• 2. Reputation
  When you get good service, you’re likely to tell your friends, relatives, co-workers and anyone else that asks. The reputation any professional has, including general contractors, is directly proportionate to the quality of the work and service that they offer. The best way to find out how good their reputation is to ask previous clients about them. Don’t just stop there, check with the Contractors State License Board of CA and North Coast Builders Exchange.
• 3. Integrity
  A general contractor with integrity will never over-charge a customer and will always do exactly what they say they will. They will also stand behind every aspect of the work that they oversee. That doesn’t mean that there won’t ever be a mistake made, it just means that they will work to rectify the situation quickly. In addition, they will act responsibly when it comes to keeping the work site organized and will dispose of trash properly.
• 4. Flexibility
  This pertains both to the skill set of your general contractor and their ability to alter schedules to complete the work. Construction projects involve everything from building frames to plumbing, painting, roofing and window installation. You need a general contractor that’s able and willing to take on every aspect of your project within the time frame that you set. That may mean working extra hours, weekends and even evenings, but that’s what being flexible is all about.
• 5. Listening Skills
  Since it’s your home that is being built or remodeled, your voice should be the loudest. Tell the general contractor exactly what you want and why. Their job is not to try to convince you to do it another way, it’s to do as you wish. Yes, sometimes homeowners want things done that are structurally impossible or cost-prohibitive. The job of the contractor then is to explain why it cannot be done and offer an alternative that will work in a similar fashion.

If you are looking for a general contractor, we have more than 4 decades of experience for each of our 3 owners/contractors. We know how to get the job done right, no matter how big or small.

Categorised in: home builders