Top 10 Tips to Assess Your Residential Builder

Choosing the right general contractor for your residential project can be a daunting task. It is important to know what questions to ask. Follow M.F. Reynolds’ advices below, or call us and we can give you more questions to ask.

1.  Are you certified under the Environment Protection Agency (EPA)?
   All contractors, as of April 2010, need to follow new federal regulation governing lead dust when working in a regulated setting. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: Verify your contractor is registered with the EPA and that he has a certified trainer on staff.

2.   How much experience do you have in the field of house renovation?
   Prospective contractors should be able to demonstrate a proven track record for similar projects. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: Ask for three references. References should come from other homeowners, as well as impartial design professional such as architects and interior designers.

3.   How many years have you been in the business?
   Longevity in a given field can be a solid indicator of success. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: You want to select a contractor who can demonstrate 20 years of experience in construction or construction-related field, and at least 15 years in residential work.

4.   What is the structure of the project management team?
   You need to understand clearly who will be the day-to-day manager of your project. Be sure you feel comfortable with that person and with other individuals who will support the project manager. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: It is best to have one point person to talk to, from the beginning to the end of your project.

5.   How many carpenters do you have on staff?
   Carpenters are a critical component to the project’s success. Carpenters arrive day one and do not leave until the project is turned over to you. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: If you want the project to advance in a timely manner, make sure your prospective general contractor has sufficient carpenters to adequately man your project at all times.

6.   How soon can you start the project?
   Ensure that your general contractor has enough carpenters at his disposal so his schedule does not become your schedule for project commencement and completion. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: If your contractor cannot begin your project when you want him to start, it may mean that he is attempting to perform on too many projects at the same time.

7.   Do you have multiple subcontractors available for each trade?
   A successful general contractor should not count on a single source for a given subcontracting specialty (i.e., plumber, electrician, plasterer, etc.) Ensure that the builder can demonstrate strong and long-term working relations with multiple vendors in each trade. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: Feel free to evaluate the relationship by contacting the subcontractor.

8.   How large is the administration staff?
   All construction projects need administrative back up, whether it be to secure multiple bids for a given subcontractor package, to execute on project accounting, to generate an accurate bill, to update a schedule, etc. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: Open book accounting for project billing will require dedicated administrative staff to render accurate bills, schedules, bid analysis, etc.

10.   Are you able to maintain a continuous presence on site?
    Verify that there will be no “dead spots” in your project execution. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: A good general contractor should have thought through all tasks such as millwork production schedule, door and window fabrication, ceramic tile/stone availability, etc. and their likely timelines. This information needs to be discussed and integrated with the subcontractors’ work schedule.

12.   How do you establish a realistic schedule?
    To establish a realistic schedule, your general contractor should list all project elements that have a procurement timeframe. Certain items such as lumber are in stock, but others like millwork, ceramic tiles, specialty lighting could have a lead-time between four and twelve weeks. M.F. Reynolds’ advice: Verify that the prospective general contractor contact the lead-time item vendors individually for actual timeframes.

A 15 minute phone conversation could be the start of something great!