Tips for Hiring a General Contractor

							T IPS FOR H IRING A
G ENERAL CONTRACTOR


Consider these tips when hiring a general contractor for your residential or
commercial projects. These tips are helpful when you hire a general contractor.




Suncoast GC
7/14/2010
                                                                                      7/14/2010



TIPS FOR HIRING A GENERAL
CONTRACTOR

Whether you have planning to hire a general contractor for the residential or commercial
projects, there are some things you should know about it. Don’t choose the poor
communication and fail to understand your goals. Choose the reliable& trustworthy
contractors which fits your needs and business's project will be successful and worry-free.

Find out Trustworthy Candidates:

You can find trustworthy commercial general contractors through word of mouth, and on the
Internet. It is crucial you thoroughly screen each candidate. A General Contractor supervises
the construction of the project and therefore must be knowledgeable, easy to communicate
with, responsive, and professional. Ask how long the company has been in business and if
they have experience doing the kind of work you need.

Check Credentials Carefully:

Searching the Secretary of State's website is an excellent resource for this. Request a copy of
the contractor's insurance and make sure it is adequate-it should at a minimum include
liability and workers compensation insurance. In these times it is wise to ensure the
company is financially strong and pays its bills on time by obtaining a business credit report
such as one from Dun & Bradstreet.

Consultation the General Contractor:

Ask how the contractor will communicate the status of the projects and determine, for
instance, if you would want weekly updates via email, or phone, or on site meetings. And be
sure to discuss permitting time frames and issues in advance because the time it takes to
obtain permits from governmental bodies can fluctuate widely.

Draw a List:

You can also research on possible options online, listing those that have seemingly
impressive and informative online sites. Don't consider hiring a contractor that has a bad
record at the Better Business Bureau.

Contact and Ask Questions:

Once you have a list, consider contacting each one on it. Ask relevant questions such as their
price quote, current projects handled, insurance plans, liability policies and project handling
limitations.

Arrange for A meeting:




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                                                                                     7/14/2010


Don't let your first meeting with a contractor be your contract signing day. Invite some of
them for initial face to face meetings.

Don't be fooled by the lowest price:

The one company with a much lower estimate may be reducing the price by using
substandard materials or knowingly omitting requirements only to hike it up later with
change orders, so make sure all bids are covering the same things. Make sure that all
General Contractors are given the same plans, specifications, time frames, and
requirements. In this economy, most commercial construction companies have remained
competitive by reducing their profits.



Suncoast GC a certified Florida general contractor company. We offer all types of
construction services like Florida Commercial Construction, Residential General Contractor,
New Construction or Remodeling in Florida Region. Visit us http://www.suncoastgc.com/




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