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Selecting a Contractor
Why Hire a Professional?
A professional is experienced in the latest building products and technology, assuring you the highest quality job.
Often their knowledge and experience can save you time, money and aggravation.
They are familiar with local building codes and regulations.
Accidental damage can happen to anyone, but only a professional is insured for such mishaps.
How to Select a Professional
?Obtain names of contractors from recommendations by friends, neighbors, or advertisements
Does the contractor have a permanent business location?
How long has the contractor been in business?
Is the contractor a member of a trade association? (Membership in the builders association, for example, is an indication of the contractor’s interest in keeping up with the latest information about building industry technology, products and building materials)
Does the contractor have a record of complaints on file with the Office of Consumer Protection? (Look in the phone book for your local Consumer Protection Agency. By providing the company name and address, a phone call will provide information about complaints filed in the last four years that were justified by Consumer Protection.)
How much experience does the contractor have with jobs similar to yours?
Will the contractor provide names, addresses and phone numbers of past customers? Call these for references. (Ask the references about the contractor’s timeliness in completing the work, the quality of work, response time when follow-up calls are needed, and the contractor’s manner in dealing with customers. Ask if they would hire the same contractor again.)
Will the contractor allow you to see other projects the company has done, both completed and in progress? (If you choose to include the step of inspecting other projects, check for quality of workmanship and materials, or take someone with you if you are not personally knowledgeable in this area.)
Is the company sufficiently insured and/or certified? (Check the contractor's name with the State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Division of Safety and Buildings, 608-266-3151, to see if the appropriate certification is on file.)
You may want to solicit proposals from 2 or 3 contractors. Be sure that their proposals are based on common project specifications.
Is the contractor submitting an unusually low-priced bid compared to others you’ve received? (Be cautious! It’s a dangerous situation if the contractor collects from you but cannot pay the suppliers from whom materials are purchased.)
Go over each proposal with the contractor to make sure you understand all items including responsibility for clean-up and trash removal. A higher price may be the best value.
The written contract.
Work only with written contracts. Verbal agreements are difficult to enforce and often confusion results.
Sign only a complete and acceptable contract. Both you and your contractor should keep a copy.
Study the financial details carefully. Pay special attention to total price, payment schedule and any penalties that may be instituted against you. Make sure there is a procedure for handling changes once a project has begun.
Make sure that all materials are specified by brand, model, color, quantity, size etc...
Warranty details should be clear. They must be noted as either FULL or Limited. Understand all warranty details before accepting a contract.
Start dates and completion dates should be noted. Allowances should be specified for uncontrollable delays.
Make sure the contractor gets all the necessary permits. This makes the contractor liable for meeting building codes. Separate permits may be required for electrical, heating or plumbing work.
The contractor is responsible for calling for inspections. Make sure they are not overlooked.
Keep track of all changes during construction and make certain they are added to your contract. Changes should be documented in writing along with corresponding costs. Note new costs on your contract.
Never sign a completion certificate until all contracted work is completed.
Properly built, a home or addition can give immeasurable
pleasure.
Improperly built it will be a daily reminder of how it should have been done.