HOW TO FIND THE CONTRACTOR YOU REALLY WANT

Preparing to remodel can sometimes feel like planning to invite a group of strangers over to your house for a rousing game of football in the living room. It seems as though neither you nor your home will survive the onslaught.

We have all heard the horror stories: the projects that ended up costing more and taking longer than expected, the inevitable dirt, the dust, the stress, the anxiety. But, while the unexpected can and does happen, the fact is that choosing a quality contractor for your project will go a long way towards alleviating the feeling that you have stepped onto an emotional roller coaster ride. You may even find yourself enjoying the remodeling process, many people do.

So how should you begin to find a good contractor? We recommend that you gather referrals from knowledgeable sources and then begin to ask questions. Just remember that the more you educate yourself, the greater control you will have over the process. How to find the contractor you really want

Gathering Referrals for Contractors
To find recommendations for contractors, start by asking friends, neighbors, and family. Church groups and community organizations (such as the Phinney Neighborhood Association), professional organizations such as the Master Builders Association and the Better Business Bureau are also excellent sources of information too. There are also your local building suppliers, and if you have already retained one, your architect or designer.

Here are some questions to ask your referral source:

What was their experience with the contractor?
Was the contractor easy to reach and communicate with throughout the project? Did he or she listen and respond to any questions or concerns promptly and honestly?
How were any differences resolved during the project?
Did the crews show up on time? Were they neat and courteous?
How well did the contractor work with other professionals on the job, such as the architect/designer?
Were the workmanship and materials used on the project of satisfactory quality?
How close were the actual costs to the proposal price?
Would they use this contractor again?
Would they recommend this contractor without hesitation?

Ideally, you should come out of this process with a list of three or four contractors that seem the sort of people you think you could work with. Remember, the contractor you choose will be intimately involved in your life for the duration of the project, so the research you do now will pay off later.

When you have your list of potential contractors, the first call you make should be to the Specialty Compliance office of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, at 1-800-647-0982. This will allow you to verify the registration status of the contractor, inquire about prior claims against the contractor’s bond, and make sure the contractor executes a contract under the same name in which he or she is registered.

INTERVIEWING CONTRACTORS

Telephone Interview
Next, contact the contractors on your list for a short telephone interview. Keep in mind that in a busy season even the best contractor may not be able to return your call immediately. If he does not respond to a second call, cross him off your list. This lack of response may indicate a pattern of poor communication or organization.

Prepare a list of basic questions to ask. During the conversation, pay attention to how easy it is to speak with the contractor. Keep notes about whether or not the contractor possesses good listening and communication skills, answers your questions thoroughly, and demonstrates a positive, non-adversarial attitude? Some general questions to begin with are:

Is the contractor licensed, bonded, and insured?
How long has the company been in business?
What services does the contractor supply?
Has the contractor completed any projects similar to yours, and could you view any of these projects?
Does the contractor have a list of references you could contact?
When is the contractor available to meet to discuss your project?

Many contractors will have their own list of questions for potential clients. Be prepared to answer a few simple and concise questions about your project and yourself.

Personal Interview
Once you have selected the two or three contractors that best meet the qualifications you have set, arrange a meeting with each. If a contractor is late or fails to show for your first meeting without any advance warning, cross him off your list. The personal interview should include more detailed questions in order to help you decide which contractor will be the best partner for your project. Here are some questions to start you off:

Does the contractor plan to stay personally involved during the project?
Can you expect to see workers on the project every day?
Who will be assigned as the project manager or lead carpenter? Who will be the contact if that person is not available?
Will trade contractors be supervised on the project at all times?
What is the company's policy regarding regular meetings with the homeowner during the project and who will attend these meetings?
What is the payment or draw schedule?
Will there be a written project schedule?
How does the company ensure that warranty service problems will be effectively handled?

Take good notes of each interview so that you can review them later to help determine with whom you wish to contract. In this new relationship, common courtesy is a must.

Making your Choice
Now you should be able to make a decision based on solid information and a clear understanding of each contractor's processes. If you are still undecided after your interviews and following up on references, think carefully about the issues that may be lingering and resolve these in another telephone conversation or a possible second and final interview.

AGREEMENTS

There are various kinds of agreements made between the homeowner and contractor.

Design/Build Agreement*
The Design/Build Agreement is geared to homeowners who would like to work directly with a contractor's design services department in remodeling their home rather than hiring an architect or designer separately. The Design/Build agreement provides an economical method of furnishing a quality design service and allows the project design to focus on the homeowners' budget as well as space/design requirements. The level of detail will be sufficient to fulfill permit application requirements and to prepare a detailed estimate for the project. Upon completion of this process, the contractor will present a Construction Contract to the homeowner, which will begin actual construction. The Design/Build Agreement and Construction Contract are two independent agreements, but work in conjunction with one another.

Professional Services Agreement
The purpose of Professional Services Agreement is to develop a budget and set of project specifications for a homeowner who has working drawings in hand, which were prepared by an outside architect or designer. In this scenario, the homeowner receives a detailed budget covering all the expenses entailed in bringing their project to fruition. Many contractors charge a fee for budget development because of the amount of time and resources required to determine accurate and specific project costs. Some contractors will offer a partial or complete credit of this fee once a Construction Contract is signed. Upon completion of this process, the contractor will present a Construction Contract to the homeowner, which will begin actual construction. A Professional Services Agreement and Construction Contract are two independent agreements, but work in conjunction with one another.

Construction Contract
The final agreement is the Construction Contract. This contract details what will be constructed, and at what price within specified parameters. Some construction company's work from a fixed price contract with provisions for change orders, and other company's on a time and materials, or cost plus basis, within a price range. Signing these agreements will begin the construction process.

The Informed Decision
There are as many ways of running a construction business, as there are contractors. The goal is to ask questions until you find the contractor able to meet your expectations and goals, and with whom you feel most comfortable working. The process is a simple one. Ask questions. Keep asking questions until you're satisfied you have what you need. The process could take a week or a month. Don't rush. Make sure you get answers to all your questions. Your decision will them be an easy one.

*See our brochures, How To Find The Contractor You Really Want, and Remodeling By Design-Build.

HOW TO FIND THE CONTRACTOR YOU REALLY WANT

INTERVIEWING CONTRACTORS

AGREEMENTS

Additional Brochures

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS