Introduction
When you are choosing a contractor for your construction or remodeling project, the process can get intense. Also, seeing the amount of money and time involved in the process, you need to pick up someone whom you can put your trust in.
To ensure that you have a hassle-free positive experience, choose someone with Georgia Contractors License.
However, here are some signs that will help confirm that you are working with a good contractor.
1. You are given a written estimate
Here is a big sign that you must never overlook while observing the qualities of a good contractor. Your contractor must clearly share in writing what you will be charged for the work. The amount that is agreed upon and the amount put in writing should be the same.
There is absolutely no point in just assuming what the final total amount will be or being surprised by a bill larger than the quoted amount. Your contractor must be extremely serious with paperwork so that there is complete transparency between you and him.
2. A Happy Work Culture
Sounds weird? Well, it is not. The most successful contractors are people who enjoyed people, celebrated success, and laughed a lot. The people working at these organizations, from the owner to the lowest-paid laborer, enjoy the work they do. You can clearly see the good-natured ribbing the workers would dish out to their foreman.
They will carry out the work more heartedly, delivering you a wonderful output. It is an important sign to see the way the contractor is working with his workers at each point in time.
3. They have Good Time Management Skills
A good contractor will always show up on time for the scheduled meetings with clients. He will ensure that the project ends within deadlines. If the contractor is not able to manage the time properly, it can cost the client extra money and induce frustration as well.
Of course, there can be unavoidable reasons for the delay in the project (such as weather conditions or natural disasters), but a contractor must know how to cover up for the lost time while making the project estimates. If your contractor shows up on time on the job site, it is a good indicator that he considers your property as a priority.
4. Good Reviews and References
Every good contractor will definitely have a pack of good reviews and references. However, you can still check out their social media pages and other review platforms such as Google to know how they have treated their previous clients, the quality of their work, and other such stuff.
However, it is also natural for a good contractor to have bad reviews every now and then. You must analyze all the reviews and note the subject matter, the date of the review, and the response of the contractor to it.
If the contractor tries his best to make it right, it is a green flag. You can also ask for references from previous customers and don’t be afraid of asking hard questions. After all, you are putting your money into it.
5. Communication is the key
You should not overlook the importance of effective communication. One of the signs of good contractors is that they understand the need to communicate regularly and in an easy-to-understand way when meeting a client’s requirements.
In case an unexpected issue arises, they must contact you immediately and discuss all the possible options further. If your contractor is not communicating with you properly, you must consider this sign as a red flag and get an alert.
Some Red Flags
1. They Overcommit to Work
Once you have hired a contractor and believe that he and his team will complete the job, but things may turn out different. Often contractors overcommit to work to get the contract but then tend to come late, maybe sloppy, getting done quickly, or even sending someone else to work.
If the team that comes up isn’t up to the mark or isn’t properly outfitted, it is a red flag that you should not be ignoring. Just remember one thing, redoing a bad job is more expensive than doing a good job in the first place.
2. They Leave a Messy Job Site
Once the construction or repair work starts, the constructor must keep safety in check. He should ensure that the job site must be kept clean and free of debris. They must keep the floor surfaces safe and not slippery. Garbage should be kept away from the walkways, stairs, and traffic paths.
All too often, we have heard the horror stories of workers who could not make it home that day. Keep an eye on how the constructor is keeping the worksite and treating his workers.
3. Suspiciously Low Rates
Though it may seem like a plus point to you, a contractor whose rates are significantly lower than most others in the market, it could turn out to be a bad point later. Having extremely low rates or estimates is often inexperience and desperation.
The contractor who works as one-person businesses often has lower rates, and it is a situation that justifies having abnormally low rates.
However, others may not have insurance, or they may not spend money on necessary materials, or training, or tools. In the long run, it might affect your project.
Wrapping up
Your constructor needs to have more than just a winning smile.
However, the sad truth is, there are various professional professionals out in the market who are more than willing to deliver only empty promises, poor communication, and low-quality work.
Therefore, you must look for the signs mentioned above while dealing with a contractor for your next project. At the same time, you should not be ignoring the red flags coming your way.
You must conduct proper research and ask for references and reviews before finalizing a contractor for your construction work. A little homework will help save a lot of effort.