If you decide to undergo renovations of your existing small business or to expand into additional territory, evaluating a contractor is one of the most important tasks that you will take on. The market is flooded with individuals who will make extensive promises but may deliver lackluster performance in the end. In addition to obtaining bids from potential contractors, be certain that you are able to acquire the financing that your project requires. One of the most beneficial avenues may be through a merchant cash advance. This method provides fast funding which is paid back through your future credit and debit card sales.
As referenced in the Houston Chronicle, choosing to expand has many advantages including greater economies of scale and increased brand recognition. Hiring the right contractor to complete the process will decrease your stress and give you fewer sleepless nights. We will provide you with a list of criteria to use to make this process easier.
Here is a list of the top 5 essential questions to ask before hiring a contractor.
1. Start with recommendations from trustworthy sources
Seek out neighboring businesses who have undergone renovations that appeal to you. Ask them what contracting company they utilized. You can also visit lumber yards and home improvement companies to inquire as to which contractors they are familiar with. As per HGTV “Word of mouth-hands down, is the best way to find a qualified professional to tackle the job.”2. Contact each contractor.
This may be your first introduction and should provide you with insight into what is in store if you select their company. Pay attention to not only the answers which the contractor gives but also to your instincts. Are they hurried? How in-depth do they explain their answers? Their demeanor is not likely to improve later on once they have already secured your business.
3. Request an itemized bid.
It helps to request an itemized bid from your contractor. You should know how much they are charging for each line item of work. Not only does this help you decide if you would like to eliminate or modify one of the line items but also helps you to make sure that the project is staying on budget. One of the main reasons that a contractor may find it difficult to provide you with an accurate bid is because there are variables that may not become clear until work has started on your project. To provide transparency, you can offer to have the contractor open up a wall or examine a crawl space.4. Ask how long the contractor has been in business.
This is one of the most important questions to ask the contractor. It is typically easier to check the references and background of someone who has been in business for a longer period of time. Do not be shy and ask if you can contact a few of the contractor’s clients for a reference.5. Request to meet the job foreman.
Do not be fooled into thinking that the contractor will definitely be the person in charge of your job. Often times, they will use a job foreman. This is the person that you should try to meet and evaluate one of their current job sites.6. Scope of Work
After you evaluate the bids you receive, make sure that the scope of work provided in your contract is thorough. It should include all of the important aspects of your job such as preparation work, protection of surrounding areas, and clean up. Remember that the scope of work provides the basis for your contract. If any legal issues arise, the scope of work may be used to determine the nature of the contractor’s liability.
