Regardless of whether we’re looking for a house extension, or have a more challenging project on the horizon, the meeting of deadlines and assurance of quality means we need to make sure that we’re choosing the right builder for our needs.
We’ve probably all heard the horror stories associated with hiring the services of an incapable builder, and the stress it can cause when an inexperienced contractor has promised you one thing, only for you to be met with another.
Fortunately, the majority of builders operate in a moral and ethical way, but this doesn’t mean we should choose the first builder that comes along. A little research ensures that you’re not going to be let down when it comes to your building project.
Experience is Vital
It stands to reason that the longer a company has been operating, the more experience it will have, and this is especially true for the construction industry.
They are many facets associated with the world of construction, and while there may be some contractors who are experienced in one field, they may not be as experienced in another. This means that the costs associated with ay building work can pile up, as we’re having to use more than one professional for the work that needs to be undertaken.
Using a construction company that has experience will ensure that you’re not only being given access to true professionals, but you will often find that the quotes are more cost-effective, as the work is being carried out by one company as opposed to several.
Communication is Key
When dancing which construction company is the best fit for you, you will often be able to determine a lot of by the initial contact.
Is the company answering your questions? Have they had experience with type of work before? Are they able to complete the work in the allocated time?
Although not every construction company will be able to meet your deadlines in every instance, a professional company will ensure that you’re made aware of this, and when you can realistically expect the job to be completed.
If a construction company can’t give you the answers you need, then it be ay worthwhile looking elsewhere.
Don’t Assume the Cheapest Quote is The Best
It’s understandable that we don’t want to spend a small fortune when it comes to building work, but we need to be careful we’re not swayed by the price alone.
Although some companies may offer a cheaper price than a more experienced company, you may find that there are some limitations with the service you use.
For example, it could mean that inferior products are being used, which means you could end up paying for repairs in the future, or even having to hire the services of another professional to rectify the issue.
Check for Reviews and Testimonials
A company that has completed successful projects in the past should have little issue in providing you with reviews and testimonials. How these are presented can depend on the company.
For example, some may have their testimonials on their website, whereas others may have reviews on Google My Business or Yelp.
If a construction company seems a little coy about providing you with past testimonial, it’s advisable to search elsewhere for a professional.
Check the Company Is Insured
Nobody likes to think about the things that could go wrong when using the services of a construction company, but you need to ensure that you’re checking the credentials of the company you’re planning to use.
Although many construction companies can offer customers a reliable service, there can be instances where something could go wrong.
If the construction company is insured, then there’s little to worry about. However, if you’ve chosen a contractor who isn’t insured, then anything that goes wrong could be left for you to deal with, and often your own home insurance will not be able to cover such an occurrence.
As you can imagine, this can be very costly, as not only will you need to pay to have any damages rectified, but also for the initial work to be carried out again.
Ensure a Contract is In Place for Substantial Work
There will be times when the work of a builder must go over budget, but a professional will keep you in the loop at all times and let you know what options are available.
If you’re looking to have a lot of work carried out, then it can be useful to build up a contract with the construction company so both parties are fully aware of any obligations and costs.
If a company is pushing you to hand over money with no clear quotation insight, then you need to refuse until clarity and confirmation have been offered.
A professional construction company will have little issue in coming up with a contract that outlines the work that needs to be carried out as well as the cost agreed.
Ensure Payment Dates are Agreed
Following on from the creation of the contract, there may be phases during the work where payments need to be made. Agreeing with what phase of completed work payment should be made ensures that there are no misunderstandings later on.
Although a construction company must understand a customer needs to ensure the capital is available, customers also need to understand that a majority of the money will be spent on materials, so regular payments may be vital for the project to move forward.
Generally speaking, a contractor’s reputation will be determined by the collective reviews of his/her past and present clients. This therefore means that any professional contractor you come across who has a good reputation is a reflection of the quality of their work. The same can be said for a contractor with a bad reputation as this is an indication that they will not give you a good job.
Professionals will usually get better and better the more they get to practice their trade and this is especially true for contractors. This therefore means that a contractor with plenty of experience is more likely to produce for you a good job when compared with one with minimal experience because the former has gotten an opportunity to practice and hone their skills. It’s therefore a good idea for you to prioritize experience and ensure that it’s experience doing good work.
It’s common for contractors to have their own ideas and biases when it comes to how they do their work and in some cases, these biases may creep in as they are doing your work because they were not paying full attention as you were giving them instructions. As you are interviewing professional contractors, it’s always a good idea to ensure that they are good listeners as this will ensure that there’s minimal breakdown in communication between you and him/her during the course of doing your project.
It’s very important to work with a professional contractor who has the utmost respect for his/her profession and also respect for you as their client. This therefore requires the contractor to have a lot of integrity as it’s this quality that will ensure that they respect their end of the contract, they charge you fairly, and are always willing to own up to their mistakes and correct them.
The best way to ensure that you end up with a contractor with these traits is focusing on your due diligence and most of this will entail getting reviews from their past and present clients. 
