General Contractors

What is a general contractor?

General, or construction contractors, are often known as project managers. They oversee the entire remodeling or new home construction project and facilitate all day-to-day tasks that move it toward completion. A general building contractor will work with your architect to review plans as you build a house and ensure everything is in place before work is started as well as arrange for permits and necessary inspections. While good local home improvement contractors will have the skills to handle certain tasks onsite, such as carpentry, he or she is also responsible for hiring subcontractors for the majority of jobs, such as electrical work, painting or plumbing. In addition, home renovation contractors should be on-site regularly to inspect the progress and resolve issues.

General contracting services are a must for successful completion of a renovation. Because of this, it's essential that you do your homework before deciding on the right professional contractors as you remodel or build a house. Inspect bids carefully. Was it ready when the contractor promised it? Was the bid for building a home unusually high or low? Each of these things can be very telling: A late bid may reflect timing standards, and an off-the-mark bid could be code for a pricey premium or a deliberate underbid to score the remodeling job. You should call references, carefully read reviews and visit completed projects to see if they’re what you expect for your job. Once you secure your local contractors, read the contract very carefully to be sure everyone is on the same page.

Questions to ask prospective general contractors:

• How long have you been in the business?
  
• How many projects like mine have you completed?
  
• Who will be working on the project?
  
• What qualities do you look for in your subcontractors?
  
• Can you provide me with references?
  
• Are you licensed and insured?
  
• How do you charge, and what does that include?
  
• What happens when costs exceed budget, whether due to materials or labor pricing changes? What about changes made by the client or by the professionals — what kinds of situations would cause those costs to be incurred?
  
• Can you give me a written estimate?
  
• What do your services include?
  
• When can your job get done?
  
• What will I need to provide?
  
• Are there any important considerations or concerns you foresee with this project?
  

Find local contractors on Houzz. Narrow your search in the Professionals section of the website to general contracting companies. You can also search for photos and contact the general contractor who worked on the project.