How to hire contractors can be difficult and time consuming.  As in any profession, you have your good and your bad.  When you get a bad contractor it can be a very costly mistake.  Let me help you not make that mistake.  In order to hire the right person, you will need to understand the size and how complex the job is.  Once you understand the job, it will help to determine what you will need.  Not every job will need a contractor but most jobs do.  Below are a few types of professionals that you might use for a specific job.

• General Contractor– This type of person will oversee all aspects of the project, which will include hiring and supervising the subcontractors (electrician, plumber, etc). They will also pull building permits and set up inspections of the completed work. A general contractor will also work very closely with architects and designers.

• Specialty Contractor– They do a very specific job like install cabinets and counter tops only.

• Architects– They draw plans for the project . This could include additions, new structures, major renovations

• Designers– They mainly work with interior of the home and help in the design aspects

• Design/Build Contractors– These people will do all the design and building for the project. They will see the project through from start to finish

How to Hire Contractors

I am a big believer of doing things above board and by the book.  Not all contractors believe in that.  There are some warning signs to look for when you want to hire a respected contractor.

• If they come to your house and do door-to-door advertising

• If they state they have materials left over from another job

• They only want you to pay in cash

• They might offer you discounts to find other customers

Where to Find the Right Contractor

• Always ask for a referral – this is the best way to get a qualified contractor. Ask a friend, co-worker, service industry people you know and trust.

• Go to your local home builders Association. In Atlanta, it is the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association

• Drive around and look for work that is being done in your area and write down the contractors name and number

3 Steps to Hiring Contractors

Once you have a list of contractors the next step is interviewing them.  There are three steps you must follow when you want to hire a contractor.

1. Interviewing the contractor-Asking the right questions will lead you to the right contractor. Some questions to ask:

• How long have you been in the business?

• Are you licensed and bonded?

• How many projects have you completed over the last 12 months and how many were like mine?

• Will you need to get permits for this project?

• Can you provide a list of references and pictures of jobs you have done?

• Will you being using subcontractors? If so, can I meet them?

• Ask them if they provide a written copy of all work and costs.

1. Check References– You must check references ofpast client and jobs that the contractor has completed. Talk to and ask previous clients about their experiences. Ask to visit a few homes that the contractor completed a job on. Use the questions below when you are talking to the contractor’s previous clients

• Were you happy with how the project turned out?

• Was the project completed on time?

• How was the communication with the contractor? Did he keep you informed about time tables and issues that came up?

• Was there unexpected costs? If so, what were they and were they more than you thought?

• Would you use and/or recommend this contractor?

1. Understand how the contractor gets paid– find out the payment structure for the contractor. There are a few things to think about when talking about money.

• Limit the initial down payment to the contractor.

• Make sure there is a schedule of payments based on work completed and properly inspected. This will help keep finances organized and the project on track.

• Don’t make the final payment until everything has been inspected and approved and final “punch list” items have been completed. It is harder to get a contractor to come back for two or three small items.

Record Keeping

• Keep good records of the payments that need to be made and have been made.

• Create a spread sheet of all jobs and check off as they are completed.

• Get all written warranties for materials and labor.

• Get proof that all subcontractors have been paid.

• Get written documentation that all work has been inspected and signed off on.