Hiring a General Contractor? 5 Things to Consider

If you’re in the process of building or renovating a home, one of the most important decisions you can make is who to hire as your general contractor. It’s also one of the most difficult decisions, since you want to ensure that they’re qualified and trustworthy while also being affordable and easy to work with—a rare combination of traits that’s harder to find than it sounds! Here are five things to consider when looking for a general contractor.

1) Understand General Contractors
When you hire a general contractor, you’re putting your home and property in someone else’s hands. It’s important to understand what general contractors actually do, as well as how they differ from specialized contractors. A general contractor is not an expert in every facet of construction; he or she will likely oversee multiple trades during your project and coordinate all of them, ensuring that your job runs smoothly and on schedule.

2) Search Online
You may be wondering how you’re going to find a qualified contractor when so many are available in your area. It seems simple, but it can be difficult when you don’t know where to look. Start by doing some online research. Type in general contractors or contractors near me into your favorite search engine, and start looking through their websites. You want someone who is licensed and insured for your own protection.

3) Check Licenses & Insurance Coverage
Before you hire a general contractor, make sure he or she is licensed and insured. A licensed contractor has passed an exam and proven his or her knowledge about construction, whereas an unlicensed one may be operating under a false pretense. And while insurance policies can vary from state to state, a general contractor with no coverage is not someone you want working on your home.

4) Be Flexible On Payment Methods
Hiring a general contractor can be an overwhelming process. A lot of people find themselves uncomfortable with all of the legal paperwork required when dealing with contractors, and also avoid hiring one because they don’t want to pay in cash, but rather by check or credit card. Many contractors work only on cash and can get squeamish when presented with other payment methods.

5) Know Their Strengths & Weaknesses
Make sure you hire someone who knows what they’re doing. You want someone who can help get everything done in a timely manner and get it done correctly at an affordable price point. Do some research on local contractors and ask for recommendations of people who have built projects similar to yours in your area before you start making calls.

If you are looking for a general contractor in Jacksonville, look no further. Ideal Conditions is an A+ BBB rated company with years of experience. The fear of your contractor abandoning you in the middle of a job, or charging way more than originally quoted is something you don’t have to worry about with us.