Although this experience was painful, intimidating and unnecessarily expensive, I learned my lesson. I don`t want anyone to have similar experience, so I asked two professionals for advice on whether you need a contractor, how to find the right person for the job, and more. Here`s what they had to say. Another advantage of having a general contractor for your project is that it will always be the only point of contract. If something is wrong with your project or if there is a disagreement between the trades, your general contractor can step in and clarify everything. General contractors have seen it all and know how to deal with any problem if it occurs. Based on phone interviews, select three or four contractors who want to meet for quotes and other discussions. An entrepreneur should be able to answer your questions satisfactorily and in a way that reassures you. Tom says it`s important that you both communicate well because this person will be in your home for hours.

On the other hand, don`t let your personality fool you. Check with your state`s consumer protection agency and your local better business bureau before hiring a contractor to make sure they don`t have any disputes with customers or subcontractors. Interior designer Catherine Pondel told the Chicago Tribune that she enjoys acting as a general contractor for her own renovation project, where she led a team of six workers. She hired a firefighter to build her spare time and hired electrical and plumbing specialists. “I bought a demolition with charm and did it with the modest budget of a divorced woman,” she said. Create a contract that details each step of the project: payment plan; proof of liability insurance and workers` compensation payments; a start date and an expected completion date; the specific materials and products to be used; and the contractor`s obligation to obtain lien authorizations (which you protect if they do not pay their bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers. Insisting on a clear contract is not a matter of mistrust, Tom assures us. It is about ensuring a successful renovation. “It`s not cost-effective to increase the size of my employees because the workload is inconsistent,” said Raymond Vigneau, owner of Metal Building Contractors, Inc. in Allen Park, Michigan.

“I hire subcontractors to do something other than what my employees can do.” How do you know when it`s time to hire a general contractor? The answer starts with an understanding of what entrepreneurs do. Yes, it is possible. Creating a contract with your contractor protects you in the event of a problem. If legal action is to be taken during or after the project, a contract will help you in your case against them. Include all the agreed details in the document and ask your contractor to sign it before starting the work. Housing contractors monitor and coordinate almost every aspect of a home renovation project. They hire the other professionals whose skills are needed, from plumbing and electrical subcontractors to painters and floor installers. Regardless of the commercial or professional services required, the general contractor will plan subcontractors so that the work is carried out in the most efficient order. One of the most important skills for any handyman is knowing when this is not the case. If you have a very large project in mind, such as adding a room or project that includes skills (and tools) outside of your knowledge, it`s a good choice to contact professionals.

Renovation Planners, a certified construction management company, estimates that 30% of contractors` work comes from repairing DIY projects that have gone wrong. After all, you can monitor things much more closely and perhaps better control the pace of things. If one of your subcontractors slows down or doesn`t do the job according to your standards, you can fire that contractor. With a general contractor, you`ll probably have to go through them. This adds another layer. Now that you`ve narrowed down your list, put your searches in place. Call past customers to find out how their project went and ask to see the finished product. But Tom says you shouldn`t just rely on results. Most importantly, you visit an ongoing construction site and see for yourself how the contractor works.

Is the site clean and safe? Are workers polite and careful with the owner`s property? Perhaps the greatest stress relief comes from the fact that the general contractor is responsible for the quality of all the work they supervise under the contract. .