Knowing the right questions to ask can help you feel confident and secure in your investment. General Contractors in Nashville TN welcome these questions and will offer transparent, honest answers to start your project on the right footing.
From vetting candidates to ensuring the final contract protects you and your project, these questions can make all the difference in finding your ideal contractor.
Do You Have a License?
Having a license is important for any professional that wants to work in the construction industry. It shows that you have passed a background check and that your business is registered with the local authorities.
The license process can take a while, depending on the time of year, the number of applications, and any additional paperwork that needs to be submitted. However, there are ways to speed up the process. It’s important to send complete documents, and not wait until the last minute to apply.
GCs manage the overall scope of your project, including planning, permitting, procurement of materials and labor, subcontractor management, quality control, client communication, and risk assessment. GCs also work with clients to communicate the progress of the project and answer any questions. In addition, a GC can help you to expedite payments by securing lien waivers and streamlining paperwork. This helps ensure that all parties receive payment on time.
Do You Have Insurance?
General contractors typically run their own businesses, buying basic construction tools and hiring subcontractors to complete more specialized work. They often manage teams of tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians, iron workers, painters, carpenters and handymen.
GCs will also hire outside consultants to handle the design process, building code and permitting requirements, cost analysis, project scheduling, quality control and client communication. They are responsible for coordinating all aspects of the job and overseeing the construction process to ensure it runs smoothly.
In addition to ensuring they have the right experience, a good contractor will have the right insurance to protect themselves and you. This includes liability insurance, workers’ compensation and property damage insurance. They should also have a system for resolving disputes that may arise during the project. This can be anything from a negotiation and compromise to mediation or expert input. For additional protection, Travelers homeowners insurance offers optional bonded and insured contractor coverage for residential remodeling projects.
Do You Have Experience?
Referrals from local homeowners and business professionals are an excellent indicator of a general contractor’s work ethic, reliability and customer service. Ask for contact information from past clients and arrange to visit some of the contractor’s completed projects. This will help you gauge the quality of their work and see if it matches your aesthetic.
General contractors are responsible for overseeing quality on construction sites, and they often use standardized checklists to ensure consistency. They also manage change orders and communicate with stakeholders regarding project progress.
It’s important to ask a general contractor what precautions they will take to protect your home during the renovation process. This can include anything from relocating furniture to using tarps over valuable items. Ideally, your contractor will make sure to leave the job site clean at the end of each day and properly store materials and tools. This will prevent damage to your belongings and your house’s structure.
Do You Have Referrals?
Homeowners often meet with multiple contractors before deciding to work with one. For this reason, the quality of a contractor’s references and reviews can make or break a project. To save time and effort, homeowners can find trusted general contractors in their area through online services such as Sweeten.
Because GCs spend their careers managing construction projects, they are familiar with the process from start to finish. As a result, they have an understanding of the larger picture and can anticipate unforeseen costs that might affect your timeline.
Having longstanding supplier relationships, GCs are also equipped to offer competitive pricing for building materials. This can help reduce your renovation expenses without sacrificing craftsmanship or product quality. This is especially true for large-scale projects in NYC, where GCs can benefit from purchasing supplies in bulk and taking advantage of the city’s negotiated discounts. They also understand how to manage subcontractors to ensure the work is done efficiently, accurately, and safely.
Do You Have a Warranty?
Professional contractors have liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage that protects them as well as the property owner if someone is injured during construction. Project owners who act as their own general contractor often don’t have this coverage and must take out a separate policy to cover themselves against accidents, theft of materials, weather damage to the construction site and other issues that can arise during the building process.
General contractors understand every aspect of the construction process, including timelines, budgeting, material sourcing and hiring subcontractors for different tasks. They also know local building codes so that their projects will pass inspection when it’s time for a visit from the city or district inspector. This knowledge is a big part of the value that general contractors bring to building projects. They can save project owners money by purchasing materials in bulk and using discounts they receive from longstanding supplier relationships. They can also ensure that products and services are installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, maximizing their lifespan and protecting the product warranties.
Do You Have a Budget?
Getting your renovation done on budget is the most important factor in the success of any project. General contractors can help you stay within your budget by planning and estimating costs properly from the start. They should also have a system in place for tracking and managing construction expenses throughout the course of your renovation.
They should be able to explain their pricing methodology and provide clients with an estimate of expected total cost, including overhead, administrative costs, and profit margin. Ideally, they will also use a system for managing change orders and unforeseen expenses to ensure that they are not overrunning their estimated costs.
Using an advanced software like Linarc allows GCs to track actual costs with precision, build dependable forecasts, and keep their financial plans aligned with the way projects are actually progressing. This helps them tackle budget risks before they grow and makes it easier to get a clear picture of project finances.
Do You Have a Schedule?
During the course of home renovations, you will be having tradespeople in and out of your house for several weeks. It’s important to ask a contractor what precautions they will take to protect your belongings. This can include relocating furniture to avoid damage, covering large items with tarps, and locking up the work site at the end of each day.
If you are considering working with a general contractor, you should also ask them what they charge for projects and how they accept payment. This will give you an idea of how much to expect for your project and if they are fair with their pricing.
Becoming a general contractor is a multi-step process that requires education, work experience, and licensing. Some states and counties require certification or courses as part of becoming a general contractor, which may cost additional money. Additionally, some areas have specific license requirements like maintaining the proper insurance for a general contractor.
Do You Have a Design?
A quality design-build firm will provide a detailed project design before starting work, with an easy-to-understand payment schedule based on project benchmarks. This ensures that there are no surprises during construction and gives you peace of mind that your home renovation project is progressing as expected.
In New York City, residential contractors must be licensed by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Applicants must designate a Qualifying Person, demonstrate verified experience (education may partially substitute) and pass two state exams, one on trade knowledge and another on business and law.
A quality general contractor will maintain good relationships with local suppliers. This allows them to receive the best quality materials at a lower cost while supporting the local economy and job creation. It also helps streamline processes by ensuring that projects stay on schedule due to well-planned lead times for material deliveries.
Do You Have a Vision?
The vision is the long-term, big picture goal of your project and provides an incentive that helps to pull you through. The more time you spend thinking about and identifying your vision, the clearer it becomes and the more connected you become with it.
Ask your contractor to describe their vision for the company and how it translates to their clients. A reputable contractor will welcome these questions because they value clarity and respect the process. They also know that a well-prepared client will result in fewer misunderstandings and better outcomes. If you feel that the response to your question is unclear or dismissive, it may be a red flag. Insist on a comprehensive contract that includes a clearly defined scope of work, a payment schedule tied to completed milestones, a projected start and completion date, a formal change-order process, and clauses for dispute resolution. For significant projects, it’s worth investing in a legal review to ensure everything is covered.