Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors

I was looking to hire a contractor to put a second level on my home. WHAT should I be looking for??

What r the most important aspects of hiring a contractor. Should I just go with the lowest bid, or does the bid matter that much at all?

Public Comments

1. Contact at least seven home contractors in your area and invite them to bid on the job. Make sure you have an information sheet of your requirements and supply each contractor with this so they can incorporate it in their bid. Ask for local references. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints. Realize that there can be a 30-50% overrun on costs, and sometimes it can take 3 times as long as estimated. Remember the movie, "Money Pit"? Rent the movie, then you will be relieved and grateful when your job turns out easier, less costly and is done sooner.
2. Get references and contact them to find out what their experience was with the contractor. Ask what, if any, cost overruns they experienced? Did the contractor do the work on time as promised? Was the scope of the work completed as promised? Have the scope of work carefully explained to you as they go over the contract. Make notes, too. You might have to go back and haggle with them about what was supposed to be covered and it helps to write things down. Some contractors are so well-known in the community and have such steady work available that they always use the same subcontractors and provide them full-time work. Others have to gather all of the subcontractors at the time the contract is accepted. So, you don't know if the subcontractors are quality workmen and you don't know if they are accurate in their time assessments. Or, they might bid out another job that pays better and put yours off to finish the other job first. This is where most time delays happen. The bigger compainies also have more buying power than the smaller companies (buying in greater bulk, ability to store more materials, etc.). So, there will be less material issues that could cause delays. Basically, if a fly-by-night general contractor underbids a well-known general contractor in your community, you might be better off going with the more expensive bid, if anything for the assurance that the job will be done right, on time, and on budget.
3. the first thing you better get is a structural engineer to see if you existing structure is stable enough to support a second floor. The lowest bid is not neccessarily the least expensive. just make sure you're dealing with an experienced contractor and dont try to save money by not getting building permits,this is your hint that you may not be getting a proper job. make SURE you personally see those permits. Everything you'll be doing in this type of reno should be permitted and inspected
4. contact at least 3 general contractors .Check there referencesand see that they are insured and to what extent and coverage . I too remodel and take pics of my work and keep the persons # for people such as you to see and verify