Choosing the right general contractor is essential for a successful construction or renovation project. By avoiding these common mistakes,
9 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a General Contractor
Selecting the right general contractor (GC) is arguably the most important decision you’ll make for your construction or renovation project. A great GC can transform your vision into reality, while a poor choice can lead to delays, cost overruns, and endless headaches. To help you navigate this crucial decision, here are 9 common mistakes to avoid:
1. Focusing Solely on the Lowest Bid:
- The Mistake: Automatically choosing the contractor with the lowest price without considering other factors.
- Why It’s Wrong: The lowest bid often indicates corner-cutting, inexperienced subcontractors, or a lack of attention to detail. A significantly lower price than other bids is a red flag.
- What to Do Instead: Consider the value offered, not just the price. Evaluate the contractor’s experience, qualifications, reputation, and communication skills. The cheapest option is rarely the best.
2. Failing to Verify Licenses and Insurance:
- The Mistake: Taking the contractor’s word for it without independently verifying their licenses and insurance.
- Why It’s Wrong: Hiring an unlicensed or uninsured contractor puts you at significant risk. You could be held liable for accidents, injuries, or property damage.
- What to Do Instead: Ask for proof of licenses and insurance and independently verify their validity with the appropriate licensing board and insurance company. Don’t rely on copies provided by the contractor; contact the source directly.
3. Skipping the Reference Check:
- The Mistake: Neglecting to contact references from past clients.
- Why It’s Wrong: References provide valuable insights into the contractor’s reliability, communication skills, and quality of work. Skipping this step is like buying a car without test driving it.
- What to Do Instead: Ask for a list of references and contact at least three past clients. Ask specific questions about their experience with the contractor, including the quality of the work, communication, adherence to the budget and timeline, and problem-solving abilities.
4. Neglecting to Review the Contract Carefully:
- The Mistake: Signing a contract without thoroughly reading and understanding its terms.
- Why It’s Wrong: The contract is a legally binding agreement that outlines the scope of work, payment schedule, change order process, and other important details. Failing to review it carefully can leave you vulnerable to disputes and financial losses.
- What to Do Instead: Read the entire contract thoroughly and ask the contractor to explain any unclear or ambiguous terms. Consider having an attorney review the contract before signing. Ensure it includes a detailed scope of work, payment schedule, change order process, warranty information, and dispute resolution process.
5. Assuming a Verbal Agreement is Sufficient:
- The Mistake: Relying on verbal promises or agreements without putting them in writing.
- Why It’s Wrong: Verbal agreements are difficult to enforce and can lead to misunderstandings and disputes.
- What to Do Instead: Insist on having all agreements in writing, including any changes to the scope of work or payment schedule. Get it in writing!
6. Failing to Discuss the Change Order Process:
- The Mistake: Not clarifying the process for handling changes to the scope of work before the project begins.
- Why It’s Wrong: Changes are inevitable in construction projects. Without a clear change order process, you could be faced with unexpected costs and delays.
- What to Do Instead: Discuss the change order process with the contractor and ensure it’s clearly outlined in the contract. The process should include a written change order, a detailed description of the changes, the cost impact, and your approval.
7. Ignoring Red Flags:
- The Mistake: Ignoring warning signs that indicate a potential problem with the contractor.
- Why It’s Wrong: Red flags are often early indicators of trouble. Ignoring them can lead to bigger problems down the road.
- What to Do Instead: Pay attention to any red flags, such as:
- The contractor is evasive or unwilling to answer your questions.
- They pressure you to sign a contract quickly.
- They demand a large upfront payment.
- They have a history of complaints or lawsuits.
- Their online reviews are overwhelmingly negative.
- They don’t pull permits.
8. Failing to Communicate Clearly:
- The Mistake: Not clearly communicating your expectations and concerns to the contractor.
- Why It’s Wrong: Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, and project delays.
- What to Do Instead: Clearly communicate your vision for the project, your budget constraints, and any specific concerns you may have. Maintain open communication with the contractor throughout the project.
9. Rushing the Decision:
- The Mistake: Feeling pressured to make a quick decision and choosing a contractor without doing your due diligence.
- Why It’s Wrong: Rushing the decision increases the risk of making a poor choice.
- What to Do Instead: Take your time to research and evaluate potential contractors carefully. Don’t feel pressured to make a quick decision. Choose a contractor who you feel comfortable with and who you trust to deliver high-quality results.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right general contractor is essential for a successful construction or renovation project. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can increase your chances of finding a reliable and trustworthy GC who will deliver high-quality results and a positive overall experience. Take your time, do your research, and choose wisely!
