If you’re considering building a custom home, choosing a contractor to take on the job is easily the most significant decision you’ll make. It’s a partnership that will shape the entire project from beginning to end, so you must ensure you find a qualified and trustworthy individual.
On that note, below are some of the best questions to ask when meeting with a contractor to help you better understand what you can expect from them and determine whether they’re the right fit for the project:
What Is Your Experience With Custom Homes?
Even the most decorated and talented general contractors are not guaranteed to have the right kind of experience or skill sets necessary to create custom homes. Therefore, even if they’ve been suggested to you or you’ve seen good reviews regarding their work, you should confirm with the contractor that they have ample background when it comes to building a home.
It’s also good to ask them if they have examples, whether in the form of pictures of completed homes or design concepts, to have something that definitively shows their experience level.
Can You Provide References?
A good contractor should have no issue handing over professional references detailing their work. That will ensure you’re hiring someone reliable and responsible. Don’t just take the builders at their word, either; remember to call these references to confirm that they had a good experience with the contractor overall.
What Is Your Estimated Timeline?
Once you establish your timeline, you’ll want to hire a general contractor that aligns with it. Both your timeline and the one the contractor quotes you for are estimates, to be fair, but you can ask how they intend to handle setbacks and the methods they’ll use to keep the project on track.
What Do You Include in Your Estimate?
Asking general contractors what’s included in their estimates is the best way to avoid unexpected costs later. It’s also a solid means of measuring how transparent your contractor is. They should be able to get extremely specific with expenses and let you know how they manage and communicate about costs that often arise throughout the process.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
You should only work with contractors who are fully licensed and insured. Contractors without the proper credentials and insurance are not worth your money, as without them, you aren’t protected from liability in case of accidents or issues during the building process.
How Do You Communicate With Clients?
Communication is key, so take the time to discuss your preferences with the contractor (such as whether you’d rather email or schedule meetings) and ask how often you can expect updates. It’s also good to let them know how much you’d like to be involved in the process.
Get the Right Answers With StreamHome Construction LLC
Even if you ask all the right questions, you won’t always get the answers you need. But when you work with StreamHome Construction LLC on your custom home, you’ll find that we’re the kind of contractors that are open, honest, direct, and professional, the kind to help you create the home of your dreams from the ground up. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation with one of our home-building experts!
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