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Choosing A Contractor

Choosing a contractor can be a scary and daunting task but it doesn't have to be so. The most important issues to consider when choosing a contractor are the reputation and quality of the work of the contractor, the professionalism and business management practices of the contractor and the relationship between the contractor and the client. Without rapport, a healthy relationship and mutual respect between contractor and client the project may not succeed.

Some tips from the summer 2001 renovator's bible from This Old House Magazine:

• Just as homeowners want reliable contractors, so too do contractors want clients who will be easy to work with.
• I'm looking for the client who wants to get the job done right and who is will to pay a little bit extra to do it that way - Tom Silva
• Great contractors are passionate about their work and want their clients to be excited about a project, too.
• The key is to hire an established contractor who understands the importance of taking care of his clients. - Norm Abram
• The more specific your plans and scope of work, the more you'll be comparing apples to apples when it comes to assessing different contractors.
• You can set up either a fixed price or cost plus arrangement. With either type of arrangement, the contractor will add his mark-up which is usually 20-25 percent. It's our fee for providing great services, solving problems, managing the subs, running here and there, the whole thing. - Tom Silva

For a reprint of this article, more information on choosing a contractor or an explanation of the Two Storey Building project management process fill out our Request for Information form.

Here are some helpful reference sites when choosing a contractor: The Mass State Building Code, The Mass Consumer Affairs Department for their Guide to Home Improvement and to check on a Builder's License and the Better Business Bureau to check on a business entity.