How to Shop for the Best Detroit General Contractor

If you’re thinking about building a new home or remodeling your existing one, then you’ll need to look for a dependable Detroit general contractor to handle your project. Hiring a Detroit general contractor is the first step in the physical building process once the plans and financing are in place. A general contractor is a specialized project manager who can take your plans and oversee all aspects of the project from preparation of a building site to the finishing touches on exterior landscaping. This can include obtaining the required building permits, the hiring of subcontractors, maintaining precise bookkeeping records and scheduling on time delivery of materials.

When it comes time to search for a reliable Detroit general contractor many people are uncertain where to look for someone they can trust. The entire project can be very stressful if the homeowner hires a contractor that they aren’t sure they can trust. So whether you are building a new house or simply undertaking a kitchen or bath remodel you need to find a Detroit general contractor you feel you can trust to provide quality workmanship and dependable service.

Detroit General Contractor: Putting Together Your List

Search for a Detroit general contractor the same way you would any other type of services provider, preferably through recommendations of family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Check at your local home building center. They often have bulletin boards. You can also look on the internet for local general contractors. Look in the phone directory but don’t focus on the largest, flashiest listing you see. While it’s true that such listings may represent a large established business, you may find that you’ll get more preferential treatment by working with someone with fewer clients.

Before you decide on any Detroit general contractor, make a call to your local Better Business Bureau to see if he or the company he represents has had any complaints filed against them. If there are any, ask for specifics and find out if the contractor resolved these problems. Many complaints are simply a matter of miscommunication or a minor problem that was readily taken care of by the contractor. Keep in mind that even a well established Detroit general contractor can get a complaint from time to time. The important thing is how they take care of them. But if there is a lengthy list of unresolved complaints involving any general contractor, it probably signals some very poor business practices.

Make certain that any Detroit general contractor you plan to hire carries the appropriate licensing and insurance. You can call or go online to check with the state licensing board to find out if a specific general contractor is listed. It’s also important that that they carry liability insurance and workers compensation to cover their employees. You also need to make sure the Detroit general contractor is bonded. This will protect you in the event that he doesn’t fulfill the contract and you are left with an uncompleted project.

Getting a Bid from the Detroit General Contractors

Once you have a list of contractors in mind, it’s time to collect bids for your project. Keep your selection to just a few. It can be costly for a Detroit general contractor to prepare a well thought-out bid. He has to take time from current projects or work extra hours putting together a quote. When you request bids from just a few, a general contractor at least knows that he has a reasonable chance of securing the contract. Too much competition and the best contractors may simply walk away because they have better things to do than spend time on a job they have a slim chance of getting.

A Detroit general contractor will need some information before they can write up an accurate bid. They’ll need to understand the size of your project as well as the time frame for its completion. You should also provide each general contractor with an itemized list of what you want included in each bid. You don’t want just a total figure. You want to see a breakdown of what each component of the project will cost such as plumbing installation electrical wiring and wall finishing and you want a schedule of dates that will bring the entire project in under your planned date for completion. You can also ask for a list of potential subcontractors so you’ll know ahead of time who will be working on your project.

Choosing the Best Detroit General Contractors for the Job

Once you have your bids in hand you can begin making comparisons. When deciding on a Detroit general contractor you’ll not only have to determine which bid is to your advantage financially but also which one is the best suited for your particular project. You could opt to go with the general contractor that has the most experience and years in business or you might find it’s better to choose the newer contractor, looking to build a good reputation and gain clients who might later be a good reference for potential clients. A Detroit general contractor that is newer to the trade might be more thorough and go the extra mile to see that you are satisfied. But you need to be certain that he has been in the business long enough to properly take on your project.

What it all comes down to is not only finding the Detroit general contractor that will give you the most value for your money but also one that is the most suited for your particular project and one that you feel confident working with. Don’t feel you have to choose the first general contractor you talk with or accept the lowest bid. While money is certainly a determining factor, it’s also important to realize that a Detroit general contractor is someone you will need to establish a good relationship with, so there is a degree of chemistry involved. Don’t forget that your home depends on the Detroit general contractor you choose.