What Questions To Ask Contractor?
I am interviewing several contractors to do my fix up work. What do I need to look out for and what questions do I need to ask?
Thank you ahead of time.
I am in CA, LA area if anyone can refer any good ones.
There is a lot that can be said here........
Generally in a nutshell never pay anybody for anything in advance. (Except for special order, non stocked materials only)
A reputable contractor on any scale can provide $1000 - $2000 (or more) in materials no problem. Only pay for materials when they arrive. Similarly this contractor should be able to invoice you for labor and materials and expect to be paid in 10 days.
The last rehab I did I came in behind another contractor to complete the work. The owner kept giving thousands of $$$ in advance to the contractor for materials, concrete, subs, etc. The bad contractor walked away with $12,000 and never completed the work.
I was there for three months. I invoiced the owner every 15 days for labor and materials and was paid within 10 days.
As usual there is a lot more to the picture but if your contractor can do this, you will be in an environment with few of the problems you typically hear about. Some others here I hope will add some pointers too.
Hope this helps.
Be sure to get a written estimate. Before having them provide an estimate, make sure they are a licensed contractor. Often this can be verified over the phone or internet.
Ask for and CALL the references he provides and ask if he completed on time/budget, what was done right and wrong, problems, etc.[ Edited by finniganps on Date 01/03/2007 ]
Thank you for the replies.