We've all been told a thousand times to look before we leap, which is a nice way of saying we should always think carefully before making an important decision. Even so, almost all of us have made mistakes we should have seen coming from a mile away. Most are the result of hasty decision-making and a failure to perform due diligence. In other words, we didn't have the knowledge we needed to make an informed decision because we were in a hurry. This error is so common in the contracting world that some charlatans make a good living swindling overeager homeowners out of their life savings. With that in mind, here are four steps you should never ignore when searching for general contractors. 1. Contact NARI One simple and reliable way to find qualified contractors in your area is to check with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). You can visit them online and search for professional remodelers by zip code on their official website. All of the names NARI provides are current, full-time members who have demonstrated a strong and consistent commitment to their craft. 2. Check References They often say that the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location. The same redundancy holds true in the contracting world, except that the keyword is "references." Just like the snake oil salesmen of old, there are unscrupulous contractors out there who go from town to town bilking people out of their hard-earned money. They leave jobs unfinished, use inferior materials, and even create serious safety hazardous for the folks that hire them. How can a home or business owner avoid these nightmare scenarios? Simple: always ask for references! Great contractors will be happy to provide you with a list of satisfied clients, which is a sure sign of reliability. If a builder will not or cannot provide references, take him or her off you list immediately. DO NOT listen to any excuses they might have regarding their lack of references, since the only good reason for not having them is that former clients were unimpressed, or worse. Not to scare you, but there are lots of licensed builders who are currently being sued by former employers for shoddy work or outright theft. That is why you should always, always ask for references and contact those former clients to see if they were satisfied with the work. 3. Interview All Applicants Even if they have unblemished reputations, some general contractors might not be right for your specific project. It might be too big or too small, or they might not have the time to fit you in with all their other ongoing projects. It is important to note that many builders, even experienced ones, sometimes take on more work than they can handle -- which often leads to additional expenses and time delays. Therefore, it is always a good idea to make certain that applicants are not overbooked before you hire them. 4. Ask About Subcontractors No matter the size of the job, most builders hire other professionals to handle specific jobs for them. Electricians, carpenters, roofers, floorers, and glaziers often work as freelancers who go from project to project and answer to the general contractor. Although they often work with the same teams, every now and then, builders must hire subcontractors they've never worked with before. This doesn't necessarily spell doom for the project at hand, but as the homeowner, it is important to ask how long each company has been working with its team of subcontractors. Knowing that there is a longstanding relationship between the company and its subcontractors should set your mind at ease. By following our four simple tips, you should be able to find qualified general contractors in your area in no time. When seeking to hire general contractors, learn more by visiting http://owen-ames-kimball.com/services/.
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