Top 10 Questions To Ask When Choosing A General Contractor For Your Colorado Home

How Many Years Have You Been In Business?

We want to start with this one here because experience is critical in the contracting industry. In general, you should seek contractors with at least several years of proven industry experience.

Also, make sure your general contractor is familiar with your local building code requirements and the permitting process in your community.

Put simply, you don’t want to hire a contractor who is new in town and unfamiliar with the regulations that will apply to your project.

As They Say, Better Safe Than Sorry.

So first things first – your contractor should have general liability insurance that protects your home and property in the event of an accident.

For example, if they hit a water line and flood your house, you can rest assured knowing they’ll take care of the cost of this type of disaster.

Second, your general contractor should also carry workers’ compensation insurance.

This protects you from liability if someone is hurt while working on your property.

It’s also smart to ask which insurance companies the general contractor has relationships with. By partnering with local insurance agents, the general contractor likely knows which route you should take when it comes to what is covered and what is not covered under the property owner’s insurance coverage.

Here at RoofTec Precision Exteriors – we work with ALL insurance companies.

Will You Hire Sub-Contractors For The Job?

General contractors will often need to subcontract work out to plumbers, painters, electricians, and other specialists.

Ask for the name of every person they will hire, as well as the type of work they do.

Use this information to verify these credentials and ensure they also have the necessary insurance requirements.

Contracting companies often work on multiple projects at a time, so it’s important to verify that you can count on consistency in who comes to work on your home each day.

How Long Should I Expect For The Project To Be Completed?

Be sure to make a contractor aware of any urgent deadlines before signing a contract. Ask the contractor to provide an estimated project schedule in writing.

Can You Provide A List Of Previous Customers?

One of the best ways to learn more about a potential general contractor is from credible sources.

Talk to former clients who have hired the general contractor you’re considering. Ask them about the process, as well as the final product. And, ask if they would hire this general contractor again.

What Is Your Working Day Like?

It’s important for both homeowners and contractors to know what to expect on construction days before work begins.

This is true even if you aren’t home while the team gets to work.

Questions might include something like:

• Do you need me to be home at any point during the day?
• What are the approximate start and end times for construction day(s)?
• Do I need to remove any items that are in or near work areas?
• What will the noise level be like?
• How will you clean up at the end of the day?
• How and where will tools and materials be stored if the job spans multiple days?

What’s Your Typical Payment Schedule?

The payment schedule is important for both you and the contractor you choose to partner with. You don’t want to pay the full price upfront, and most contractors won’t ask you to do so.

Discuss payment terms before work begins, including payment amounts, key deliverables, and due dates. Don’t forget to ask, “Do you have any financing programs?” Our answer is, yes! Learn more about our financing services.

How Will Additional Charges Be Dealt With?

No matter the reason, it’s critical that your contractor assures you that he won’t spend a penny over your agreed-upon budget without first gaining your approval — and if you hire him, this should also be specified in your contract.

How Can I Get In Touch With You?

Identify a designated point of contact, as well as the best way to reach that person. Find out what times he’ll be available to respond to you, as well as the method of contact he prefers.

Finally, ask for a general timeframe that you should expect to hear back from him.

How Do You Resolve Disagreements?

This is a crucial question because, unfortunately, mistakes and disagreements do sometimes occur, despite the best intentions of contractors and homeowners.

Asking a contractor how he handles disputes tells you that he has a process for taking care of situations in which clients aren’t fully satisfied.