When the time comes to build that addition, remodel your bathroom or your kitchen, or have a new home built, working with the right South Florida general contractors can have the desired results not only as far as sticking to your budget but also making sure that all building codes are adhered to and everything progresses as expected. More than that, it can help ensure that you will have the beautiful results you envision. However, finding the right general contractor might be an issue, particularly if you have not worked with one in the past whom you could call upon again. Let’s see what steps you can take to make sure you hire the right professional for the job.

Have a Clear Idea of What You Want

Even the most amazing general contractor will not be able to go inside your mind to find out what you want. Having a clear vision that you can share with the prospective general contractor will go a long way toward achieving your goals. Put together a list of the things you need to be done and make sure to know what your budget is.

Look For Someone With Experience in What You Want

Not all contractors know how to do everything. It is better for you to take the time to find someone who specializes in the work you want so that there will be no misunderstandings or other issues along the way.

Get References

If you have neighbors, friends, or family members who have recently completed some construction, that could be a good place to start getting recommendations. Particularly if you have been to their homes and seen first-hand the quality of the projects that were completed.

Interview Potential Contractors

You may want to conduct phone interviews with the potential contractors or meet with them in person once you have discarded a few names. Ask them about their qualifications, and how many years they have been in business, and find out whether they are licensed and insured. You may also want to get references from prior clients or even ask to go see their jobs personally to verify the quality and workmanship. If they have no previous clients or will not give you a reference, this may be a red flag. During the interview, find out whether they handle the work themselves or if they work with subcontractors. Get an idea of the timeframe they are talking about and determine whether their budget coincides with yours.

Read the Contract Carefully

Before signing any paperwork, read it thoroughly. Make sure the contract includes the way they want to be paid and when. Also, it should include a tentative start and end date and a provision on what will happen if these terms are not followed through. Have a clear understanding of what permits will be needed and how long they expect to take to get them. Talk about a warranty on their labor and materials and add a paragraph on dispute resolution.