What to Expect When Hiring a General Contractor

General contractors play a critical role in your home improvement projects. They act as a project manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of major home renovations such as roof repairs, siding installation, and window replacements. From securing the materials to ensuring the project is completed correctly, a general contractor is one of your home improvement project’s most prominent players and should be chosen carefully. To help with the process of finding and hiring a general contractor, Berg Home Improvements is sharing how to go about finding the right contractor, the questions you should ask, and what to do post-decision. Read on to learn about finding the best general contractor in the Chicagoland area!

Identify the Best Contractors for Your Job

It’s common knowledge that the home improvement market is heavily saturated with general contractors. Large companies, family-owned businesses, and freelancers are all advertising their services to interested homeowners, making it difficult to identify those who will work best for you. Asking friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations is a great place to start your search for a general contractor. Make a list of those who come highly recommended, as well as those who you warned to avoid. This will help narrow your search so that you can start looking more in-depth at companies.

A great way to identify if a contractor is credible and good at what they do is by checking out reviews. Don’t just look at the number of stars they have. Check out the comments and how the contractor addresses and works to resolve negative comments or issues.

Get in Touch and Gather Information

Once you have chiseled down your list of contractors, it’s time to start making calls. It’s always best to speak with the contractors you’re interested in hiring before you make a decision. This will help you get a feeling for how they operate, how attentive they are to their customers and potential customers, and what their schedule looks like. This is also an excellent opportunity to ask questions regarding experience, credentials, and other important information. Some questions to consider before making your decision include:

• Will you take care of obtaining proper permits to complete this job?
• What is the best way to get in touch if I have questions or problems?
• How do you handle projects that last more than one day?
• Do you offer material warranties?
• What does the typical payment schedule look like?

Schedule a Consultation and Sign A Contract

After speaking with each contractor in contention for the job, and determining which will be best for your job, schedule a consultation to discuss your project’s details. Choose which roofing materials you’re looking for, the type of windows you’re interested in installing, and discuss the best gutter system for your home. At this time, you should ensure that a contract is provided and signed by both you and the contractor. Never make a payment or start work before a contract is put on file. This not only protects you as a client but your contractor as well.

Is it time to hire a general contractor for your home improvement project? Contact Berg Home Improvements to learn more about our services and to schedule a consultation. We are here to transform your home.