See Their Past Jobs Before Hiring Them to do Your Job
Aside from the important step of reading reviews and testimonials as well as getting references from other clients, you should ask the contractor to show you examples of their past work. Many reputable contractors will have this information readily available on their website. If they don’t, ask to see a portfolio. Look at the images of the work that they have completed. Ask yourself if their past projects are similar to the work that you need done. After all, if the only work that the contractor has done has been on small dental offices or local diners and you have a large condominium that needs to be renovated, they are probably not the right contractor for you. You need someone who is not only a professional, but has done jobs that are similar to the job that you need taken care of.
Get a Detailed Project Plan
A general contractor should be able to provide you with a detailed project plan that outlines what exactly will be done, how it will be done, and when. In addition to a thorough project plan, you should get some sort of confirmation that they will be checking in with you regularly and providing you with updates on the progress of the project. The detailed project plan should include information on what materials and supplies will be used, who the onsite manager will be, who the contact person is and what team will be on the job. Also, you should get the estimated length of time that the project will be worked on, even if you don’t get a precise end date.
Get all of the Proper Paperwork
Never rely on a verbal agreement, no matter how reputable a general contractor might seem. The best contractors (and professionals in all industries) understand the importance, security, and protection of a paper trail. Before you hire a general contractor, have them quote you a price for the job and get that quote in writing. When you ask them how long the job will take, they should be able to provide you with an approximate deadline in writing. A contract should also be written up and signed by both parties. Additionally (and this is especially important for bigger projects), if you want to have a lawyer review the contract, the general contractor should have no qualms about that. Lastly, there are some other important pieces of paperwork you want to see including proof of insurance, a business certificate, and any other credentials that will help solidify that you are making the right choice by hiring that contractor.
Want more advice on what to look for when hiring a commercial construction contractor in Minnesota? Don’t hesitate to contact us today with any questions you might have. You can also keep reading our other blog posts for more free resources or visit our official website to check out our comprehensive list of services.
