Expectations from my Pittsburgh General Contractor

What to expect – before, during and after

Once the plans are drawn and fully approved by the owner and any necessary local building authorities, they they can be submitted to several GCs for costing. Expect to see relatively similar final numbers. A large discrepancy in any number should serves a red flag.

Either the GC is inexperienced or – far more likely – there has been a misunderstanding. In all cases, sign a written contract before paying any monies or allowing any work on the project to commence.

During construction stage of the remodeling project, the GC will generally not be on-site all of the time. There is simply no need. Instead, they will rely on regular visits – as often as every day – to inspect the work and ensure that the project is running smoothly and on schedule.

Voice Concerns

This is also the time when the project owner should voice any concerns or request any changes. One caveat – avoid changes as much as possible as they will not only cost you money but also slow down the entire process.

At the end of the project, you should expect the contractor will perform a final walkthrough. It is at this time that the project owner will express any complaints. Throughout this walkthrough, the contractor will create what is known as a “punch list” of defects.

In short, it is a compilation of defects that will be corrected before the final payment is made. Furthermore, the best GCs will follow up on the project in two to three weeks to see if everything is still satisfactory.

Evaluating the Home Contractor

As mentioned, a GC should be timely and accurate in their initial approach and throughout the bidding process. A good approach at this stage demonstrates a level of commitment and concern that will then manifest itself again during the actual construction.

In addition, they should be properly attired – not necessarily a suit but something that identifies them as an employee of their company. Also, the GC should be organized in everything he does. After all, the real job of a licensed contractor is to organize the remodeling project. If he cannot keep his paperwork sorted, what chance does he have with a complicated project?

Once you have narrowed the choices down to the two or three GCs you find acceptable, you should check their credentials. This means more than calling the references that they provide – although this task is also quite important – but entails checking that the contractor’s company is properly licensed, insured and bonded.

Lastly, a call to the Better Business Bureau should be made to check on any complaints. While this process does take some time, it is well worth if you are planning on spending any significant amount of money. In the long run, it is time well spent.