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| 1. Be Prepared: |
1.
Know exactly what you want to accomplish.
2. Have sketches, photos, clippings, etc., on hand
to illustrate examples of what you want done. If yours is a
larger project, you may want to first consult a qualified architect,
whose services may prove their weight in gold.
3. Set a budget. Let them know your limit, or your parameters.
4. Be aware of your own local planning, zoning, and building
department expectations and restrictions. Most projects will
require some form of permitting.
|
| 2. Interview: |
Interview your potential contractor.
Try to select a knowledgeable, organized, experienced, and established contractor who will take a personal interest in the outcome of your project.
|
| 3. References: |
Always ask for 3 or 4 references
from your contractor; and be sure to contact all of them. If
you can't reach them ask for more. And ask the company if they
use "sub-contractors" or their own employees to complete
the work.
|
| 4. Buyer Beware: |
Never hire "Billybob" with a pickup
truck. While he might be fine to build a dog house, you might want
to rethink using him for a professional job. Only hire state license
contractors.
|
| 5. Understand: |
Understand which trades may be
required to perform work on your project. Each trade or (sub-contractor)
generally requires a separate State License and there are now
approximately 44 different license classifications in Texas.
If your project will require more than 2 or 3 different trades,
you will be wise in hiring a general contractor unless
you are very experienced at coordinating and managing construction
activity. |
6. Check License
Status: |
Check license status of your contractor
by calling the Contractors State License Board.
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/
|
| 7. Contracts: |
Be sure to receive a complete written
contract from your contractor, clearly spelling out what the
responsibilities of both parties will be, as well as the entire
scope of work with a breakdown of all associated costs. Make
certain a time limit is indicated for completion of agreed work.
Anything less than this should be unacceptable - assume nothing.
|
| 8. Down Payments: |
Pay No more than 30% Down.
|
9. Advance
Payments: |
Advance payment for uncompleted
work should be strongly avoided.
Exception: Some special order items may require a deposit
up front.
|
| 10. Sub-Contractors: |
As mentioned above, sub-contractors
are required to hold specialized licenses for the trades they
perform. To protect their rights to be paid, (in the event that
they are not receiving payment directly from the owner himself,
but from the General Contractor) some sub-contractors will file
what is known as "Preliminary Lien Notice."
This is not a lien against your property, but merely a notice
to you that he or she is indeed working on your property for
the General Contractor. In the event that the sub-contractor
does not receive payment for his work from the General Contractor,
the sub-contractor then would have 60 days to file a "Mechanics
Lien" Against your property. To protect yourself from
this unlikely event, you may want to request an "Lien
Release" From each sub-contractor, prior to the release
of the final payment.
|
| 11. Insurance: |
Be certain that your contractor
carries either "Workers Compensation" or "General
Liability" Insurance.
Ask them to have their insurance carrier fax or mail you a copy
before work begins. NEVER except a hand given proof of insurance
from the contractor.
|
| 12. Above All: |
Use Common Sense!
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