Selection of Builder
What Should I Ask A Potential Design/Build Contractor?
Our team has more than 35 years of experience building and remodeling properties in Continent America
Use these questions to take the guesswork out of hiring a professional contractor to design and build your project
There are 3 primary areas we recommend you evaluate in every design build, general or remodeling contractor you consider hiring:
1. Reputation and Standing of the Company
2. Experience and Operations
3. Service, Follow-Up and Follow-Through
The following questions will provide you with valuable information about the contractor’s reputation, policies, procedures and experience.
For each area, ask the questions and ask the design build, general or remodeling contractor to provide the written evidence to support their answers. If you’re pleased with the responses provided, odds are you’ve found yourself someone worthy of your business.
Reputation and Standing of the Company
1. Are you licensed in Florida to complete this type of project?
2. Will each of your owners, shareholders or partners give us a complete list of all of the legal entities they have been an owner, shareholder or partner in that has been in the building improvement or building contracting business?
3. Have you or any of the other owners ever filed for bankruptcy for this or any other company that they were an owner, shareholder or partner in?
4. Will you supply a copy of your current insurance certificate?
5. Will you provide us with your Lead Safe Work Practices certification? (This is a requirement for homes built prior to 1978)
6. Will you provide me with at least 3 current customer references?
7. What other letters of reference do you normally provide?
8. What professional building and remodeling industry associations do you belong to?
Experience and Operations
9. Do you have a price guarantee? Please explain this in detail.
10. Will you provide me with a sample contract including the details you normally include?
11. Will you provide a resume of work experience for my project supervisor?
12. What specifically do you do to maintain quality on your projects?
13. How often will you complete a walkthrough with me during the project?
14. Do you have a written policy regarding drug and alcohol use by your crews?
Service, Follow-Up and Follow-Through
15. How long is your warranty? Please explain exactly what it covers.
16. Have you ever repaired a project after the warranty expired?
17. What is your company phone/email policy?
18. How often will you provide me with an update on progress?
Remember: As the client, you deserve to have these questions answered. Any reputable contractor will gladly answer these questions for you without hesitation. If you find that the answers you are getting don’t feel right, give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you decipher the answers and put your mind at ease.