Are you considering a home remodeling project for your property?
Most remodeling projects involve either structural or aesthetic aspects which
might require several specialized technical skills. If this is the case, you
may want to enlist the services of a general contractor.
A general contractor negotiates a contract for the entire
remodeling project, and either completes the specialized work with his own
crew, or sub-contracts to other various house remodeling contractors. Some of
the specialized areas might include planning/architecture, concrete, plumbing,
electrical, roofing, dry wall, cabinetry, or painting.
The Planning
To get an accurate bid from a potential general contractor, it
is very important to plan carefully, with much thought and consideration. You
may want to involve an architect or draftsman to generate the blueprints for
your project. Remember that any home remodeling features not included in the
plans will not be included in the bid.
Once you have detailed plans for your project, you need to start
the selection process for a general contractor. Canadian residents can go
on-line to for a list of qualified, licensed contractors.
The Contractor
It is a rule of thumb to get at least 3 bids from separate
remodeling contractors. Provide each with an identical set of plans. Be upfront
about your expectations, and request they be realistic about time, cost, and
interruption factors. It is wise not to make a selection based on price alone;
other considerations are equally important.
Before you accept a bid from a contractor ask questions: What
experience and references do they have from projects similar to yours? Will
they be working on other projects simultaneously with your own? If they will
not be personally working at your site, how much time each day will they spend
supervising? Will they use their own crew for some or all the work? How
available will any sub-contractors be? What licenses and insurance do they
carry? And what is the time line of the project, start to finish? These are questions
any reliable, qualified general contractor should answer and outline in the
contract.
The Contract
When negotiating the contract for your home remodeling project,
be thorough and accurate. Include complete names and addresses of both parties,
a detailed job description, material specifications, start and finish dates,
any warranties on work or materials, and payment options.It is fairly common for a general contractor to ask for 10-33%
of the estimated cost in advance; most contracts provide for payment as work
progresses.A reliable, reputable contractor will agree to contract terms
which help protect the interests of both parties.
By being thorough in your research, planning, and contracting
process, you can look forward to enjoying the results of your home remodeling
project for many years to come! (handycanadian.com)
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