Choosing your contractor

Selecting a general contractor is like getting married.  If you don’t get along with them during the initial visits, you’re probably not going to work well with them.  Our suggestion is to make chemistry the determining factor.  You will probably be “living” with your contractor for several months.  Make sure you choose people you enjoy, like and trust.  Keep these points in mind:

• Are they professional in demeanor, friendly, courteous?
• Make sure you don’t just get a good salesperson.  Is the contractor comfortable discussing any aspect of the project, any of your concerns?  Is he or she up-to- date on new building methodologies, technologies and laws?  Can he help you come up with innovative, yet practical, ways to meet your desires?
• If you already have an architect and a set of plans, can the contractor make revisions in the field, which are often needed to build the project, or will you have to retain (and pay) the architect again?
• Is the contractor financially solvent?  Often contractors will take deposits from customers because they need the money to pay staff for the most recent job.  What’s the contractor’s reputation in the marketplace with lumberyards and other suppliers?  This is important because you’re trusting them with your money and want to make sure they’ll be using it wisely to complete your design/build project.
• What kind of crew works for the contractor?  It’s very important that the company you hire has responsible, family oriented staff who have consideration for children, spouses, pets and neighbors—since they will be an integral part of your living environment for many months.  Make sure they are highly skilled, well-paid craftsman.  You want only the best.
• Are they insured?  Make sure the contractor is fully licensed and insured for property damage, liability, and workers compensation, and ask for a Certificate of Insurance. 

Consider this...

Most contractors say they use a few spiffy techniques.  But beware that they didn’t simply hear about them from someone more qualified.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with learning building techniques from the pros. But just knowing a few (or even a few dozen) techniques doesn't make a master carpenter, builder or business person.

Any one can go to Home Depot and fill a leather tool belt with a hammer, tape measure, screwdrivers, carpenter's pencil, torpedo level, nails. Then fill a tool box with more levels, plumb-bobs, squares, triangles, countersinks, etc. Then go to the power tool section and buy a table saw, planer, three different sanders, jig saw, circular saw, reciprocating saw, router, lathe, and more. Build a work shop. Have a truck or two. Now that they have all the tools, does that make them a carpenter?

Of course not, they need to know how to think like a carpenter, a builder, a designer.

When should you use nails to join two pieces of wood?  What kind of, and size, nails should you use in a given situation?  When should you use screws instead of nails?  What kind of joint should you use? How do you make stairs? What kind of wood should you get?  What will this addition look like when completed?  What about the location of the windows and doors?  How about the overall dimensions as they pertain to the existing house or building?  What about the use? Does it flow, is it comfortable, does it have grace? 

We are the pros that others seek for answers.