Category: Contractor

If you are considering a remodel of your home, you might be looking into options for contractors. You will quickly discover that you will need to work with several subcontractors for different areas of the remodel, such as plumbing, wiring, cabinets, counters, etc. Each craft requires a different professional. Keeping up with all of these contractors and organizing the remodel can be a chore that most people are unprepared for.

This is when you want to use a general contractor. Many people think that a general contractor does all of the work of a remodel on their own, but this is usually not the case. A general contractor provides all of the materials and services necessary to complete your project. That means that some of the work they will do themselves, but other parts of the work will be given to trained and experienced subcontractors.

If you are dealing with a reputable contractor, you will have a contract between you and the contractor outlining the work to be performed, a timeline for the project, and what the project is going to cost. There are some other components of a good construction contract as well. Understanding the contract is important for making sure that you are holding your contractor accountable.

What the Contract Should Include

The construction contract should have some basic information that absolutely must be present for a legally binding contract. It must have your name and contact information, as well as the contact information and name of the contractor. The contract should describe the property in legal terms, such as the description on the deed filed with the county. Attachments to the contract, such as blueprints or schedules, should be listed directly on the contract.

When you are ready to start the next chapter with your family and move to a bigger home, it may seem easiest to simply buy a home that is already on the market. But there are a lot of advantages to building your home from the ground up. Here are some reasons to build a new home for your family.

Floorplan to Fit Your Lifestyle

You know your family’s needs. Perhaps you need an office or den to work or study at home. Perhaps you need a mud room off the garden. You might need a hobby room or extra children’s rooms for use as your family grows. While you can find a home that will meet your basic needs, only a home that you build from scratch will meet every desire and need of your family.

In today’s DIY society, many homeowners are choosing to build their homes or their outbuildings on their own. Even if you have the time for such an undertaking, there are several good reasons that you should hire a professional instead. 

Permits

Nearly every community requires permits to build new construction, even if it is just a garage, shed, or pool house. Usually these permits are required by the city or town in which you live. If you get caught building without the appropriate permits, you could find yourself facing hefty fines and having your project delayed or cancelled completely. A professional contractor is familiar with what permits are required and how to obtain them.

It happens to the best of us. You do everything you can to maintain your home, but eventually it rains and you discover a leak. Maybe you discover multiple leaks. Whether the leaks are due to normal wear and tear on your roof or a fierce storm, you may think that you can just repair the leaks. However, there are some situations in which you should simply replace the entire roof. Here’s how to tell the difference.

One or Two Bad Spots

You may notice that your roof has a few bad spots with broken or cracked shingles, or you have one or two places in your home that are leaking through the ceiling when it rains or storms. If you only have one or two bad spots on your roof, it is probably due to storm damage rather than a breaking down of the roof. In these situations, a simple repair may be sufficient.

Hiring a general contractor for your remodel or new construction project is one of the most important decisions you will make during this process. The general contractor is in charge of the entire project, and if you don’t choose wisely it could cause delays and problems with the construction. Here are the top three things to look for in a general contractor.

Licensure and Insurance

Your general contractor should be fully licensed to practice in your state, in addition to having licenses and certifications for the various types of work to be done. They should also have adequate insurance, including worker’s compensation insurance. Ask to see their licenses and insurance documentation before hiring.

A general contractor is one of the most important people you will have on your construction job. The general contractor takes a lot of the work and organization out of your hands and makes sure that your project runs smoothly. Whether you hire a general contractor for extensive remodels or new construction, there are three things that general contractors do that relieve your stress during the build.

Hires Subcontractors

You know that you need an electrician, a plumber, a framer, a siding expert, a window installer, etc. A general contractor fields these assignments for you so you don’t have to worry about finding contractors for yourself. The general contractor will determine what specialized contractors are needed, locate them, take bids, and set them to work. You don’t have to lift a finger.

Ensures Safety

One of the primary jobs of the general contractor is to ensure safety on the job site. A general contractor will make sure that there are supervisors on site to ensure that all contractors and subcontractors are following safety protocols. This is important to make sure your home is safe, but it is also important to make sure that those working on your property are uninjured. This can save a lot of worry on your part, and protect your investments.