What To Consider When Hiring A General Contractor

For homeowners of all kinds, hiring a contractor can be a big decision. There are many factors to be considered during this process, including the size and scale of the project, how long the job will take, what type of company to hire, and a number of other considerations. Regardless of what type of project you are undergoing, it’s important to have the right person to do the job. From bathrooms to basements and beyond, here are a few things to consider when hiring a contractor.

There are several types of contractors

General Contractors: A general contractor is essentially the person in charge of a larger scale project such as home remodel, room remodel, or other sizable project. This person handles strategy, organization, and other players involved in the project. A general contractor also manages permits and following building codes for a project.

Subcontractors: Subcontractors work under the general contractor, and play a specific role in the process. They’re the plumbers, electricians, roofers, painters, and anyone else who does a specific task during the remodel or building process.

Design/Build Firms: These types of firms don’t only handle the construction aspects of a project, they also design it from the beginning and work with architects and designers to build a project from the ground up.

Carpenters: If you’re working on a small-scale project in your home, a carpenter may be your best bet. For tasks such as installing shelving, cabinets, and other fixtures within your house, carpenters are great for small scale building tasks within your home.

 

When to hire a residential general contractor

Even if a home update seems like it’s going to be a small project, oftentimes renovating your home turns into a task that is anything but small. Oftentimes jobs require plumbers, electricians, painters, cabinet and countertop experts and more. If you are doing a project that requires a number of different service providers, such as a bathroom or basement remodel, a GC is probably your best bet. Here are a few rules of thumb for when to hire a general contractor.

GC’s versus Carpenters

• If the job will take less than a week, you should be okay without a general contractor
• If the job does not require permits, a carpenter should be sufficient
• At Harjo Construction, we evaluate the size and scale of the job. If a potential client could save money by working with a carpenter who works for himself, or a subcontractor, we don’t hesitate to tell them.
• We always give clients 2-3 individuals or companies that we recommend. We don’t turn anyone away empty-handed. Kurt Harjo believes that’s just the right thing to do; it’s good business.

Best practices when hiring a contractor

When hiring an independent party to do work on your home, it’s important to know their credentials and verify their credibility. A few pertinent steps to take include:

• Ask if your contractor is licensed
• Verify your contractor’s registration, bond, insurance and infractions
• Do a simple Google Search – if they have a website and business profile with reviews, they are more credible
• Read the contract in detail before signing, and insure you understand what is being laid out in front of you.

Hiring a contractor can be a detailed process, but when you have a fresh, updated home it will be well worth it. To learn more about Harjo Construction and view our portfolio of projects, visit our website today!