General Contractors: Finding the Right One

Whether you're remodeling a room, adding a wing on to your house, or looking for some electrical re-wiring, general contractors can do the job. Of course, not every individual in the field comes to the table with the same experience or knowledge, which is why it's important to do some research before you decide who to hire. A major construction job can run into the thousands of dollars, so it isn't something you want to do more than once. How do you find the right guy for the job, though? The guy who can come out to the house, give you a fair and accurate price quote, and then follow through. Here are some ways to make sure you make a god choice.

First of all, there's a reason why "word of mouth" is the most powerful form of advertising. It's because there's no one you can trust more than someone who doesn't have anything to gain from your decision one way or the other. When people get work done, they want to tell others about their experience, be it good or bad. Ask around and see what people are saying about the general contractors in your area. 

Consider going to your local hardware store or lumber salesman to see if they know of any good ones they can recommend. Ask your local real estate agent, as they will most likely have contacts in the industry as well. Most importantly, though, try asking people just like yourself, especially those who have had work done and can recommend or warn based on that experience.

Don't be afraid to make a few phone calls. Get some general contractors on the line and describe to them the basics of the project you're trying to get started. This is a great time to feel them out and see what they have to say. If you get the feeling that they're rushing you off the phone, then maybe they're too busy to take your money. That's fine. A good person of business will know more than just how to knock down a wall or replace a kitchen cabinet. They will also know how to talk to customers. If you find someone who fails at doing this preliminary piece of business, then there's no reason to trust them with any further work.

Once you have several general contractors you would feel comfortable hiring, get some price quotes and see how they compare. If one guy comes in well below the others, it could be a bad sign, so don't necessarily go into this stage thinking you're going to go with the lowest bid. Try to pick something in the middle. That way, you can be more confident that important corners aren't going to be cut on the way to making your job comes to fruition.