Are you in the market for a general contractor?

Selecting the proper general contractor is critical to the success of the project. It can make you pretty anxious when we're trying to pick a general contractor. When we decide to take on a construction project, it is a huge undertaking. It is expensive and emotionally draining. We hope for the best, but we worry and feel anxious throughout.

If you need to pick a general contractor, you may be looking for some guidance. Here are 5 steps to help you discern the professionals from the clowns and get the best contractor that you can.

Step 1 - Is he insured?

Liability and Workers Compensation Insurance (WC) is something you want your general contractor to have. The lack of insurance indicates a lack of responsibility and reliability. Additionally, if someone gets hurt while working on your project, your contractor's insurance will protect you. Additionally, the liability insurance protects in case of construction defects and disputes. A general contractor who is reliable and trustworthy--which is the only kind you want to hire--will gladly show you his proof of insurance and his limits.

Step 2 - Is he licensed?

California requires contractors and companies who are looking to do construction work to be licensed. The Contractor State License Board provides the license. You can go to the Contractor State License Board website, enter the contractor's name and find out if the license is in order and valid. Hiring an unlicensed contractor is not a good idea. It can cause lots of problems and if there are issues it makes seeking legal remedy much more difficult.

Step 3 - Does he have references?

It may seem like a waste of time to ask for references, because really, why would someone ever give you the name of a reference who won't have good things to say about them? However, many people do just that. This is either because they assume you are not going to actually call the reference or they do not know the reference is going to have something bad to say. It's crucial to call the references listed and ask detailed questions. This will let you know whether or not the contractor can handle your job.

Step 4 - Look at his portfolio of previous work

General contractors sometimes specialize in a specific type of construction. For example, many contractors like residential projects. Restaurants, health care buildings, and commercial projects all have specific needs and you need specific knowledge in order to successfully meet the demands of the construction. If the references and the portfolio showcase the very type of project you are getting ready to launch, then you know the contractor is capable of finishing your job.

Step 5 - Interview your potential contractor

It's important to have a face-to-face conversation with your general contractor to gauge how the two of you get along. Construction is stressful and any cracks in the communication styles you both have will grow wider as the project progresses. The attitude of your general contractor will definitely play a role as the project goes on. If he is unpleasant or his demeanor is unfriendly during the initial interview, that will only get worse as the construction progresses.