“Anyone who’s building a new house or doing a remodeling project should extensively interview contractors to find someone with whom they feel comfortable,” says Howard Robbins, owner of Howard Robbins Construction Company. "If a client has trouble with a contractor—if they’re constantly arguing about money or the scope of the work—there’s a likelihood the experience will turn out to be a difficult one, possibly ending in disappointment or unmet expectations.
In the course of a large construction job, unforeseen issues are bound to arise. It’s crucial to hire someone who will inform you of any unexpected developments and work to resolve problems until you’re satisfied.
If you narrow the field of candidates to two or three contractors you equally like, the next step may be to request an interview with their lead carpenters. These are the actual craftsmen who will be on the job every day. It’s important you feel comfortable with their level of experience and workmanship.
Before hiring a contractor, it’s also important to understand their bidding process and payment schedule policy. Always insist on a written, itemized description of the proposed job. Everything the contractor intends to do should be included in this written document, so everyone is on the same page regarding the details, scheduling and cost of the project. During a proposal reading, it’s not unusual for a client to indicate they didn’t realize a certain thing was going to be done, or something else they thought was going to be done had been left off the list. Consequently, proposals are often rewritten before they’re finalized. Clarification and communication are crucial if a job is to be completed to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
