DESIGN successful selection process and remodeling experience.
Hiring
Mr. Right
Getting the right contractor the first time around By Gail Jamentz
C
onstruction season is in full swing as homeowners continue to tackle their remodeling wish lists spawned from two years of homebound living and plenty of time to reassess how they want their interior spaces to meet their family’s needs. This flush of pent-up demand has created a frenzied environment as homeowners compete to secure a quality contractor to complete their remodeling and building projects this year. While supply chain product delays, climbing loan interest rates, a skilled labor shortage, and almost daily material price hikes have challenged most construction companies, the demand for their services has not waned. So how do you find a talented, licensed contractor with the business skills to negotiate these industrywide hurdles and still produce a beautiful, finished product on time and in budget, while making it an enjoyable experience. It’s a tall order. But as the saying goes, “cream rises to the top,” and quality contractors are out there, particularly in the San Gabriel Valley. The key is to find the right professional for your type of job, personality and project budget. With that in mind, following are six industry pro tips to ensure a
Who’s his posse? Like many professional service providers, the lead business owner, in this case the general contractor, is only as good as his team. So, it’s important to learn about who the subcontractors are that he would bring to the job site. Be sure to ask how long they have worked together, and most importantly if his subcontractors are licensed tradesman. Most likely the contractor will bring several tradespeople such as his electrician, plumber or HVAC sub to see the space before creating his final bid. This is called a trade day and is a great opportunity to meet his team and ask questions. Set a date While it is key to meet a contractor’s team, it is also very helpful to visit one of his completed projects that are similar in type to the renovation being considered. This offers a chance to assess the quality of his work in person, as opposed to just looking at photos. A talented contractor will have positive relationships with former clients and should be able to arrange a brief visit to a past job site to view his work, as well as his attention to detail and level of craftsmanship. A successful remodel should add value to the home, so take note of the quality of the building materials; the method of installation of materials such as tile, millwork or painting, for example; and whether it feels comfortable to be in the space. If his work quality is impressive; former clients and industry peers speak highly of him; and his license, bonding and insurance continued on page 14
Mark Husmann of Great Headshots Inc./Submitted
Ray Hughes owns Whitcomb-Hughes Design Build.
Do your due diligence “One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is that they don’t actually take the time to call the references listed on a potential contractor’s Client Reference List,” says new homebuilder Rich Mortensen, owner of Waterford Construction. “They may read former client testimonials on the contractor’s website or Instagram feed, but that’s not enough. Homeowners should have an extended phone conversation with past clients about the contractor’s work quality, business practices, and the overall experience of working with his team.” Additionally, it is important to find out if he “plays nice with others.” For example, how well did he work with former project architects, interior designers, subcontractors, or the local building department? Homeowners have every right to ask a potential contractor for names of industry peers he has collaborated with to ascertain an accurate picture of his professionalism and business practices. And it goes without saying, running a contractor’s license number through the California Contractors State License Board website is a must. This precautionary step will determine if his license is current and in good standing. It is not enough for a contractor to just show a business card, flier or website with his license number listed. It may be expired, or it may not even be his company’s license number. Additionally, researching his license number will reveal if his company has filed a contractor’s surety bond, carries workers’ compensation insurance, or has consumer complaints filed against it, all very important matters when selecting a professional whose team will be working on a property for months or even years. While none of these issues are the creative or fun part of the building process, they are essential and should be discussed with a potential contractor before signing a proposal.
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