Finding the Right Contractor in South Florida: Here are 7 Easy Steps!
- The best way to find a qualified General Contractor is through a personal recommendation from friends, neighbors or a local building supply dealer. Other sources might be computer on-line, magazine, newspaper or telephone directory advertisements.
- Using a list of several possibilities, call each one to inquire if they are covered for worker’s compensation, personal liability and property damage.
- If you are satisfied with their responses, make appointments for a meeting at their office or showroom. Ask for a list of satisfied clients and pay attention to the aura of the office. Are they organized and business-like but friendly and willing to help you with your questions? Also, ask to see why type of remodeling and construction they have done.
- Some questions might include “How long have you been in business in this location?”, “If you will be working on other projects, do you have enough supervisors and workers to complete my job quickly?” and “Can you estimate how long my project will take from start to completion?” "Are you a member of any local building associations?"
- After the meeting, call their former clients and ask how satisfied they were with the workmanship, punctuality of the workers and supervision. Also, if there were major cost over-runs caused by the Contractor’s under-bidding and if the project was completed in a timely manner.
- When you have made a decision on which General Contractor to use, ask to see the Contractor’s license and Insurance carrier and agency so you can check the coverage.
- When the job is complete, if you feel dissatisfied, cheated or mis-led, you can launch a formal complaint with the Contractor’s license board and request a hearing.
Good Hunting!!
