Common Pitfalls of Hiring the Wrong General Contractor

Hiring the wrong general contractor can lead to many issues that can turn your dream project into a nightmare. Poor workmanship can in subpar quality and costly repairs; inadequate project management and communication can cause delays, budget overruns, and frustration. It is essential to thoroughly vet and select a qualified and reputable contractor to avoid these pitfalls and ensure a successful home improvement project.

What to Look For -  Good Contractors:

Licensed and Insured: A reputable contractor should be licensed to operate in their area and have insurance to protect themselves and their clients in case of accidents or damages. If you like a contractor and are unable to find adequate licensing attributed to them for your project, it’s a good idea to ask them about it as your GCs may have subsidiaries that hold bigger licenses. 

Experience and Expertise: Look for contractors with a proven track record of successful projects similar to yours. Experience often translates to expertise and a deeper understanding of what works best for different types of projects. You can ask for client referrals, photos of past projects, and sometimes a tour of projects in progress or completed. 

Transparent Communication: Good contractors communicate clearly and openly about the project timeline, costs, materials, and any potential issues that may arise. They listen to your needs and provide solutions that align with your vision. BuildCo7 shows this from the beginning with our incredibly thorough estimating process and bid presentation. 

Detailed Contracts: A reliable contractor will provide a detailed contract outlining the scope of work, materials to be used, project timeline, payment schedule, and any warranties or guarantees offered. A blog post about what to look for in contracts coming soon…

Identifying Red Flags -  Subpar Contractors:

Lack of Proper Licensing and Insurance: Contractors operating without the necessary licenses and insurance should raise a red flag. This could leave you vulnerable to legal and financial risks. As mentioned before, double-check with any contractors you like if you aren’t finding the information, but ultimately, if they aren’t operating with proper licensing and insurance, you should pass. 

Poor Communication and Unreliability: Contractors who communicate vaguely, fail to return calls promptly, or are consistently late for appointments may not be the most reliable partners for your project. Communication is key. Frequent and written communication is paramount to the construction process. 

No Written Contract: Avoid contractors unwilling to provide a written contract. A verbal agreement leaves room for misunderstandings and disputes down the line. Assume that if it’s not in writing, it’s not happening.

Unrealistic Low Bids: While everyone loves a good deal, be cautious of contractors who provide significantly lower bids than others. Quality work comes at a price, and extremely low bids may indicate the use of subpar materials or shortcuts. We’ve seen this a lot at BuildCo7 – we aren’t the most expensive firm around and we’re also not the cheapest – where potential customers go with a cheaper bid and end up paying more in change orders throughout the process for things that we had foreseen and budgeted for. 

Lack of References or Portfolio: A contractor who hesitates to provide references or a portfolio of past work likely doesn’t have a solid track record or could be hiding subpar workmanship. Of course, there are always people just getting started on their own who can’t show work they’ve done in the past. Do your due diligence.

Choosing the right contractor is a crucial step in ensuring the success of your home improvement project. By understanding the qualities and red flags to look out for, you can make an informed decision that will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Do your research, ask questions, and trust your instincts when selecting a contractor to bring your home improvement dreams to life.

If you’re building a new home or renovating or adding onto an existing one, BuildCo7 would love to help. Call us at 615.891.2398 or fill out our contact form now to get started.