Planning on extending your home with a garage addition? Are you opening a retail store and want to renovate the space?
Selecting and hiring the right contractor is a critical decision to ensure your project’s success. A contractor is a person who manages construction projects and is responsible for overseeing everything involved in it from the planning, to the organization and coordination of the project. Contractors can do the work themselves or hire subcontractors to get the work done. Not only does a general contractor have the experience and resources to complete your project, but they can also help you attain any building permits or funding that may be required.
If you’re wondering whether you need a contractor for your project, then the answer is a resounding yes! Let’s say you want to renovate your garage and turn it into an office space or a spare room. You will need a permit, hire an electrician, a plumber, a painter, new flooring, and organize inspections to go by the code. You will need to coordinate the renovations, hire competent contractors, take important decisions that might not be in your expertise. That’s a lot of stress added to your daily life! Hire a general contractor will take all the weight out of your shoulders, and assure you a completed project.
With the importance of a general contractor established, it is time to look at things that you need to consider too choose the right contractor in Nanaimo.
1. Identify contractors that have experience in your desired structure in Nanaimo
One of the first and foremost things you need to do when choosing a contractor in Nanaimo is to find out if the contractors you’ve shortlisted have the experience to meet your project’s scope. Any contractor you shortlist must have the skills and experience that aligns with the nature of your project or the work that needs to be completed. To ensure this, you can for example, check their website if they have one and verify their list of services, projects or gallery. You can also ask each contractor that you shortlist to provide you with pictures of similar types of work that they have previously completed. Any serious and reliable contractor in Nanaimo won’t have any problem with you asking questions.
2. Communication
One of the biggest qualities of reliable general contractors is their ability to communicate efficiently and regularly with their clients. Therefore, the contractor you choose for your project must have the listening and communication skills needed to establish your precise needs. Once the specific needs are documented, it becomes much easier for contractors to complete the project.
How quickly the contractor answered to your call or your email? Are you satisfy with his explanations? Are you kept in the loop and contacted regularly? This are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before choosing your general contractor.
3. Find out how long will it take for the contractor to complete the project in Nanaimo
Before you put pen to paper, make sure to inform the general contractor about any urgent requirements and deadline you may have. Contact the contractor to get an approximate project schedule to ensure that they can complete your project within the required timeframe. This will help you choose a contractor who can meet your deadlines.
4. Ask for a written quotation
The most important component of your agreement with the general contractor is a written quotation. Therefore, you should ask the contractors that you shortlist for a written quotation and it should include an approximate time-period for the completion of the project.
5. Check for online reviews
It is important to do a bit of background check on any contractors in Nanaimo that
you shortlist for your project. Check online reviews of the contractor from past clients to know their abilities and performance history.
The online review can also reveal whether a general contractor you’ve shortlisted has previously managed and completed a project similar to yours in nature and size.
6. Ensure that your contractor is licensed in Nanaimo
One other important step in the general contracting vetting process is choosing only licensed contractors in Nanaimo. You can find out if a contractor in Nanaimo is properly licensed to manage your project by visiting The City of Nanaimo Website. Island Build Contracting has no issue with sharing the license number with our valuable clients.
Final word
If you don’t want your hard-earned money to go to waste, you must choose the right general contractor in Nanaimo for your construction project. You can choose a reliable contractor by keeping the above tips in mind.
If you have any questions on the above tips, are looking for a contractor in Nanaimo, don’t hesitate to contact Island Build Contracting Ltd. Our team takes pride in the work we do!
