You are going to build a deck, add a porch, put up a Gazebo or sell a patio. You’ve done the research. It is well within the ability and you look forward to the satisfaction of creating a structure of beauty.
Or not. Yes - you want to continue with an outdoor structure, but for you, it’s not a do-it-yourself project. How can you find the right person to do it for you? Here are some tips for hiring and working with a contractor.
1. Plan the project closely. Cut photos, creating artwork, writing a description. This will help you accurately convey to the contractor what you want the finished product should be.
2. Make a list of suppliers. Ask neighbors or friends of the names of reputable tradesmen. Contact material suppliers - lumberyards, for example - and ask for recommendations.
3. Get at least three written bids for the project, but not give in to temptation to automatically accept the lowest bid. A higher bid may be worth the price of better materials, construction and reliability. If you get a very low bid, the contractor may have made a mistake or forgot to bid on everything you wanted. If they have deliberately low bids, they can use cheaper materials or take shortcuts to make a profit.
4. Many countries require registration and / or licensing. For the United States, www.nationalcontractors.com provide a basis for state and type of construction. Click on Confirm Contractors License. If licenses are required in your jurisdiction, be sure to ask to see the contractor’s licenses and make sure that it has not expired.
5. Ask for references and check them out. Look at the projects and request that the former customers if they are satisfied with the quality of the work that is done, if it was started and completed on schedule and if it is completed.
6. Get a signed written contract and be sure you understand it. The Construction Contractors Board of Oregon argues that the only major cause of the Private contractor disputes is the written contract: do not have one, have a bad one, or to have an all ignore