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Questions to Ask Your General Contractor Before the Work Starts

Questions asked of a general contractor before you begin your home are often overlooked. You might have obvious questions about what will go in the house as you shop barn door hardware for your sliding door, but there are other important questions.

Questions for your general contractor are not meant to be a list of “rules” that must be followed but rather an opportunity to ensure you and the contractor have created an effective communication plan. Ask these questions as soon as possible before committing yourself and your money to this project. If your general contractor can’t answer all these questions, they probably aren’t the right person for you. 

1. When Do I Need to Be Available to Meet?

This is the most fundamental question that should be asked; ask your general contractor how often you will need to meet and what independent contractors need to be present. The frequency of these meetings will directly affect the amount of time your general contractor and subcontractors will have to conduct all business, so it’s essential to have reasonable expectations for these meetings. This will allow you to plan your time and make time for your general contractor and subcontractors when necessary.

2. What Type of Documentation Will I Receive When the Project Is Done?

You need to know the document you will provide when the project is finished. Some homeowners want full details of the process, and others wish for essential information. It would be best to decide how much or little you want to know about the projects in your home. 

There are many different types of contracts for general contractors; you should ensure you understand which type your contractor uses and have an opportunity to review a sample before hiring them. Ensure you know what details will be included in this contract, and ask questions if something isn’t clear.

3. When Do I Need to Be Available to Meet?

This is the most basic question that should be asked. Ask your general contractor how often you will need to meet and what independent contractors need to be present. The frequency of these meetings will directly affect the amount of time your general contractor and subcontractors will have to conduct all business, so it’s important to have reasonable expectations for these meetings. This will allow you to plan your time and make time for your general contractor and subcontractors when necessary.

4. How Will You Communicate With Me?

The best way to ensure you’ll be engaged in the project is to ask how the general contractor plans to communicate with you. You need to know what communication will take place to make time for it. Some contractors prefer to email their clients, while others call or text. Some general contractors use only one form of communication, while others use a blend of approaches.

5. How Will You Protect My Property?

At the beginning of a local contractor’s work, they must pay careful attention to protecting your property. Your general contractor should write exactly what projects will be done, where, and when. Ensure your general contractor is trying to save any shrubs and trees when tearing up the ground. It’s also important to know how much time the project will take and what kind of insurance information you should have in place so you can be prepared.

6. What Is Our Schedule?

A general contractor’s schedule is especially important to you and should be explained in advance. If your general contractor doesn’t have a detailed schedule along with all his subcontractors, it’s possible that the progress of the project will be delayed. An over-due plan will delay the project and make it more costly than necessary.

You need to know how long it will take for your local contractors to finish the project and whether or not there may be any delays due to weather or conflicts with other contractors.

7. What Will Happen if There Is a Change in Order?

Changes to the scope of your project can be beneficial or cause you to lose money. Many general contractors will charge a change order fee, which includes the cost of an additional carpenter, electrician, tile installer, or plumber. To avoid these additional charges, it’s important to determine what changes are possible within your budget and keep track of these changes along the way.

These are but a few questions that you should ask your general contractor. It’s important to understand what kind of communication you’ll have with your local contractors throughout the process and how they plan to protect your property. These questions will help you make the best choices for you and your contractor. Asking these simple questions from the beginning can help you avoid many problems for homeowners who do not understand their local contractors.

Uneeb Khan
Uneeb Khan
Uneeb Khan CEO at blogili.com. Have 5 years of experience in the websites field. Uneeb Khan is the premier and most trustworthy informer for technology, telecom, business, auto news, games review in World.

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