When you’re considering whether or not to hire a particular sub-contractor to work on a project, what are the top two or three things that you evaluate before making your final hiring decision?
Do you think these are things that homeowners should think about as well?
Make sure they are licensed, insured and bonded, and dont just take anybody’s word for it, call the board and ask them for the license details. Also important to note, ask them to take you on a field trip to see previous jobs they have done and possibly meet previous customers to really get a good idea of what to expect going forward with the particular contractor.
Credibility - Past experience, license, insurance.
Professionalism - Ability to complete job in time, change order reasonably, communicate effeciently.
Quality of work - Final product is the most important item, you may have #1 and #2, but without #3 - everything else falls to failure.
Integrity, quality of work and work ethics of his employees. They also should be bonded, insured and licesed.
If it’s a new subcontractor, go see their past work. Communication is the key to getting the job done right and on time with minimal change orders
Novel Remodeling rarely sub contracts any work we do. We provide our own proven workforce to get the job done according to our high standards. However, if we were to use sub contractors, there are a few requirements we find very important.
1st. Hire individuals with licenses. Check there license with CLSB and make sure it is active.
2nd. Evaluate where you found the subcontractor. If its referred, assuming you trust the person that referred you, accept them.
3rd. Trial bases works the best and make sure you sign contract for the work thats being done.
4th. Follow your gut.
If your are going to hire a contractor they should be licensed and trained in their field.Make progress payments
do not let them get ahead to fare always keep a retention util you are satisfied
Most general contractors have a list of preferred subs, who have proven themselves to be reliable, able to perform at the quality required (which can be different for different jobs), and whose prices are appropriate to the quality. When we’re looking for a new sub, we depend on referrals, and often first use a new sub for a smaller job. Naturally they need to be licensed and insured.
Should homeowners think about the subs used by a general contractor? Just a little - ask for their names, look up their licensing information, and if you have a problem with a sub, talk with the general. But if you try to get deeply involved in picking the subs, you’re likely just making things harder for your general contractor, who now has to wonder about how to tell you that your brother-in-law is a nice guy but a lousy plumber.
When building large project you need a good planning
know how of everything good crew, good communication and team player as a leader,
A good crew is a must jobsite is not a training ground
I think from the first encounter you must have a good feel. You need to feel that this company is competent and that you are both of the same understanding. Ask to see some examples of the project that the contractor has completed that you can go and see. Ask for names and references. Check to see if the company is local or is it a company that has an out of town. Can you call the contractor anytime or will you get a voice mail or the run around. Does he have dirt under his nails or is he a well groomed salesman. Depends on what you are looking for?
License status, Insurance Status, and References
Each one is as important as the other!
Make Sure your sub-contractor is licensed within your appropriate state,and has all applicable insurance.Ask for local references or contractors he may have worked for locally.Check the status of his current manpower to see if he can manage the job appropriately depending on the size,and whether financially he can fund the project while in production,through the draw process.
The very first thing a homeowner should check for when heiring any contractor wwould be their Insurance and if they are Licenesed. Second would be the contractors presentation and Knowledge of the work to be preformed.
Credibility- Always ask for references.
Check their License number & make sure it has not or is soon going to expire
Call the licensing board office. See if they have any complaints against them .
Pictures of their prior work, or go to a recent job they just finished !
Go with your gut feeling- Would you feel comfortable having them in your home ?
What is their expeience… Is this new to them? Are they well versed and make a good plus to our knowledge?
What level of quality can they perform at? Some jobs require very high quality and atention to the smallest details while others are less involved and could be suitable for a lesser expeienced contractor
How consistent and reliable are they? We check references if a contractor is new to us and ask around the community to get an idea what they are like.
Licensed
Insured
Can their work be permitted
Is there employees backround checked
Is the company going to stand by their estimate or have hidden ending charges.
Initially check for licenses and insurance…without those you may be heading down the wrong path.
Next, references are a good indication of their follow through and workmanship.
I also would recommend using someone for a small job first just to see if they are worthy of completing a larger project for you, although this can also be misleading should they put on too much of a front.
Lastly, go with your gut feeling…if you think it will be ok then roll with it…after all you are responsible in the end…and conversely, if something seems out of order then walk away…it’s as simple as that.
