contractor in yellow safety vest holding white hard hat

Things To Know About General Contractors

Engaging competent and respected general contractors to undertake your repair or renovation job is vital. This process can be stressful and expensive and will include unpleasant surprises at times. The right contractor can help homeowners with these types of situations and make sure your project gets completed correctly and on time. 

A general contractor is skilled and will be able to handle any large and/or complicated construction project. He or she will hire subcontractors for specialty work who are chosen specifically for their skill and will know who is competent and experienced in completing your particular project. Here are some things to know about general contractors:

Reputation

You will want to engage a general contractor with a great reputation and project portfolio. Talk to friends and neighbors and others that you trust and get recommendations for a high-quality contractor. You will want to check licensure, complaints, and litigation history to make sure they are who they claim to be. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start. Checking references will let you know what a general contractor’s track record is when it comes to job completion, and it will let you know what their level of excellence as well. 

Expertise

Make sure you know what the contractor’s area of expertise is. If you are renovating a bathroom or kitchen, you will want to work with a contractor that has a great track record for this kind of project. If you are working on your decking or building a separate garage, you will want to employ someone that has done this kind of project in the past with impressive results. 

Permits

Most renovation projects will require permits, and you need to make sure that everything is in place before the work starts. Never start work without a permit just to save money, even if your contractor suggests it. Tearing something down after it is begun is a waste of money, and the contractor will not do it for free. In many cases, you can also incur fines. 

Surprises

No matter how diligent you and your contractor are in preparing for the job, expect surprises that will add to the costs. It is wise to expect to pay 10-15% more than your contract states. Even the best contractors can get busy with other things and find it difficult to come back for the final details, so ensure that you only make the final payment after all work is fully completed to your satisfaction as per your contract. 

Ascension General Contractors is your construction and renovation team. We are here to help you with all your construction and renovation projects and are proud to provide the Nashville area with our general contractor services and skills.