How to choose a credible general contractor

Explore our expert advice and the red flags to look for during your search

Home repairs, renovations, and even large scale construction projects all require the skills of an experienced professional. If you don’t have the experience yourself, it’s important to outsource these projects to someone with the time, tools, and expertise to provide you with the best finished product. That being said, you want to ensure the general contractor you hire will not only complete the work in a timely manner, but will also complete your residential construction project correctly.

The construction industry is plagued by general contractors without proper building permits and knowledge of the field, so it can be difficult to find a credible one amidst an array of choices.

Continue reading for tips to help you find a credible general contractor, plus the red flags to look out for.

#1: Cost of preliminary bid.

A huge indicator of a general contractor’s credibility lies within their bid pricing which usually includes the estimated timeframe for the project, suggested materials, and the total cost.

Pricing red flags would include someone who offers a suspiciously low bid for their services. Typically, general contractors who provide higher quality work often charge more for their services. A lower price doesn’t always mean that they aren’t capable, but higher prices often indicate working with more experienced subcontractors with better quality materials and tools.

Using an unlicensed general contractor that presents the cheapest pricing may turn out to be the heftiest expense in the long run because you run the risk of your project being left incomplete or incorrectly done.

#2: Get recommendations and references.

One of the first steps you should take when hiring a general contractor is to ask for recommendations and references from fellow homeowners, subcontractors, and others they’ve worked with. This is important considering you can get stuck with a lien on your property or covering any unpaid bills from your general contractor.

A red flag to look for here would be a general contractor completely off the grid, someone without an online presence or a website. Someone who is hard to get into contact with is not someone you want to entrust to oversee your entire project.

#3: Produce a written contract.

A general contractor should want to protect themselves as much as you would yourself by providing you with a legally binding contract that includes the start date, estimated end date, payment schedule, and a breakdown of costs in labor and material.

Different states have different licensing requirements, so you will want to cross reference those with the contract your general contractor is presenting to you. You should also ensure they are insured for worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability.

A red flag in this situation would include a general contractor that is looking to seal the deal with a verbal agreement. In the instance of a dispute during the project, this will be cause for a difficult resolution, initiating a case of hearsay.

#4: Ensure they are established.

Most general contractors who take accountability for their work will have a local business address with a local phone number that you can contact should there be any issues while rendering their services. Pay attention to general contractors who are members of established associations and will stand by their work.

A red flag would be a contractor that does not back their own work which will leave an opportunity to take advantage of you. Another red flag of a bad general contractor includes lack of basic contact information, social media, and reviews. Referencing their portfolios and social media can help you get a better idea of what they are capable of and ensure they are being upfront with you.

In conclusion

At the end of the day, the decision is yours when choosing a general contractor for your project. You just need to ensure that you are taking time to conduct the proper research to make the best decision. While there are a few bad general contractors out there, there are also plenty that will provide you with exceptional work at a competitive price.

At Moreno & Moreno, we are certified by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration and have worked with the nation’s top homebuilders, including D.R. Horton America’s Builder, Home Dynamics, Pulte Group, KB Home, Taylor Morrison, Dream Finders Homes, and more.

If you’d like to take advantage of our free estimate, click here or give us a call at 407.300.4500.

Back to all blogs

Share