1. How do I locate a contractor?
Ask friends and acquaintances
for referrals. Look in the yellow pages. Check with a local builder…go
to the construction trailer and ask the superintendent for some
names and phone numbers of subcontractors he would recommend.
2. How do I know if they are good? Check other jobs he has worked
on. Ask those homeowners their opinion. Check the Better Business
Bureau for complaints.
3. Get it in writing. Be sure to get everything in writing. In
construction there are 1000’s of variables, the more details you have written in the contract, the less chance
for a misunderstanding.
4. Payment. Remember, the contractor will always cry poor. You
will want to pay on a draw schedule that is fair to both parties.
Your contractor does not usually deserve more than 10% up front,
even though he may ask for more. Always have the draw schedule
reflect the amount of work done. You also need to have a substantial
amount left for the final draw (30%+-) to ensure positive
performance. If you promise to pay on time, and actually do, a
draw schedule that favors you will be acceptable to him.
5. Cleanup. Make it part of the contract that he cleans up daily,
and removes all of his trash at the end of the project…before
final payment.
