What makes a good general contractor?
- Experience. A good general contractor is a tradesman with experience in every aspect of construction from basic...
- Reputation. When you get good service, you’re likely to tell your friends, relatives, co-workers and anyone else that...
- Integrity. A general contractor with integrity will never over-charge a customer and will...
What are the qualities of a good contractor?
The Best Qualities Of A Good Roofing Contractor
- Licensed Roof Contractor And Insured. When looking for a reliable roof contractor to work with, the first thing that you ask him to produce is a valid and updated roof ...
- Excellent Workmanship. ...
- Consider Working With A Local Contractor. ...
- Experience. ...
- Cost. ...
- Reference And Samples To Their Work. ...
How much can I make as a contractor?
General Contractors (including construction managers) earn an average of $43.93 per hour, or $91,370 per year. Now, we should note that if you came here looking for General Contractor salaries (or independent contractor salaries), this last statistic factors in a couple things that you should know.
What are the qualifications to become a contractor?
These requirements include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Possessing a high school diploma or equivalent
- Being able to work legally in the U.S.
- Having a clean work record in construction or an adequate explanation of any job-related incidents
What should I look for in a contractor?
- make sure your contractor has a license
- verify with your contractor that he or she is insured (contractor's risk, workman's compensation)
- check your contractor's references and consult the Better Business Bureau for further information
- review any contract the contractor provides to you – make sure it is clear and complete
What makes a general contractor successful?
Positive work environment. Thriving companies maintain a culture that attracts and retains people, said Engelbrecht, and to make this happen, leaders must be tapped into millennials' and other groups' priorities — vision, transparency, teamwork, access to leadership and more.
What are the main strengths that you bring to a general contractor?
4 Great Skills to Become a Successful ContractorPeople Skills. Every day, contractors must interact with clients, workers and other construction professionals, explaining projects, understanding directives and solving problems. ... Problem Solving. ... Technology. ... Project Management.
What are the signs of a good contractor?
Here are six signs that you're working with a good contractor.1 – Willingly Provides Requested Information. ... 2 – Provides Written Estimate. ... 3 – Doesn't Ask for Upfront Payment. ... 4 – Upholds Contractual Agreement. ... 5 – Respectful of Property and Ground Rules. ... 6 – Communication Is Key.
What is the most important for a contractor?
The single most important factor in choosing a contractor is how well you and he communicate.
What skills do contractors have?
Here is a list of five essential skills and abilities to look for when you're choosing proven commercial, residential and industrial construction workers.Physical strength and stamina. ... Manual dexterity and coordination. ... Strong reading and math skills. ... Building and mechanical knowledge. ... Excellent vision and depth perception.
How do I prepare for a contractor interview?
Tips for a successful general contractor interviewRehearse for success. Practice answering common interview questions in front of a family member or friend to receive feedback and improve your answers.Arrive early. ... Bring proof. ... Dress confidently.
Why are all contractors so unreliable?
Contractors are often considered to be unreliable because of the reputation earned from inexperienced or unprofessional craftsmen.
How do you tell if a contractor is ripping you off?
Top 20 Signs You Hired a Bad ContractorThey Don't Have Good Reviews. ... They Overcommit to Work. ... They Lack the Necessary Experience. ... They Start Work, Disappear, Then Start Again. ... Their Rates Are Significantly Lower Than Others. ... They Don't Get the Right Permits. ... They Don't Like Written Agreements.More items...•
How can I grow my contracting business?
12 Tips to Grow Your Construction BusinessBuild a great team. In construction, your people are your business. ... Manage your business, but lead your people. ... Invest in your business. ... Be selective to be profitable. ... Get the word out. ... Play to your strengths. ... Network to earn more work. ... Quality is king.More items...
What are the most important characteristics of a qualified contractor?
The Top 9 Traits of a Successful Specialty ContractorMaster Your Trade. ... Know Your Weaknesses. ... Be Reliable and Available. ... Communicate Problems and Provide Solutions. ... Find Out What Works and Stick to It. ... Prioritize Quality Over Quantity. ... Provide Positive Customer Service. ... Rely on Your Team.More items...•
What should I look for when choosing a general contractor?
10 Things to Look for in a ContractorLicense. When looking for a contractor, it is important to find one that is licensed. ... General Liability and Workers Comp Insurance. ... Experience. ... References and a Positive Reputation. ... Steady and Trained Staff and Crew. ... Turnaround Time. ... Pricing. ... Material Suppliers.More items...
What are the qualities of an independent contractor?
Some of the common characteristics of an independent contractor include:Furnishes equipment and has control over that equipment.Submits bids for jobs, contracts, or fixes the price in advance.Has the capacity to accept or refuse an assignment or work.Pay relates more to completion of a job.More items...
A good contractor is made, not born
Some construction contractors make the news for all the wrong reasons.
A good contractor from the general public
Well, most people don’t care, unless the construction work impacts their lives. So neighbors don’t want to have a noisy construction project next door. They don’t want their streets covered in a litter or have the contractor’s workers taking up all the local parking. Commuters don’t want to be unduly delayed by construction work.
What makes a good contractor?
Companies must have a sustainable cash flow. Even profitable companies can become bankrupt if they can’t pay their bills because their cash flow is negative. Basically, don’t run out of money.
Gene Melchers Follow
When you’re ready to do home improvements or to build a new home, a good general contractor is one of the best assurances of a quality job. Before you jump into an agreement with anyone, you’ll want to make sure that they are right for you.
1. Experience
A good general contractor is a tradesman with experience in every aspect of construction from basic repairs to designing and building homes. While most general contractors hire subcontractors, it is imperative that they understand how to do the job themselves.
2. Reputation
When you get good service, you’re likely to tell your friends, relatives, co-workers and anyone else that asks. The reputation any professional has, including general contractors, is directly proportionate to the quality of the work and service that they offer.
3. Integrity
A general contractor with integrity will never over-charge a customer and will always do exactly what they say they will. They will also stand behind every aspect of the work that they oversee. That doesn’t mean that there won’t ever be a mistake made, it just means that they will work to rectify the situation quickly.
4. Flexibility
This pertains both to the skill set of your general contractor and their ability to alter schedules to complete the work. Construction projects involve everything from building frames to plumbing, painting, roofing and window installation.
5. Listening Skills
Since it’s your home that is being built or remodeled, your voice should be the loudest. Tell the general contractor exactly what you want and why. Their job is not to try to convince you to do it another way, it’s to do as you wish. Yes, sometimes homeowners want things done that are structurally impossible or cost-prohibitive.
How much does it cost to hire a general contractor?
Pinpointing how much it costs to hire a general contractor is tricky, because projects big enough to need a GC typically wrap labor costs into the overall project budget.
Do I need a general contractor?
Whether you need to hire a general contractor all depends on what work you need done in order to get your house ready to sell.
Is a general contractor worth the money?
Again, it depends on the project. If it’s a big job, you’ll definitely need more than one work hand to get the project done in a timely manner.
Great contractors provide clear, detailed, accurate estimates
My favorite contractors are amazing project managers. Long before demolition they provide a clear, detailed list of all the decisions they’ll need from the homeowner with specific dates by which they’ll need those decisions. This makes communication clearer, and avoids the stress and costs that come with project overruns.
What should an estimate include?
Well, if your estimate just says “$40,000 to remodel bathroom” – RUN! This is the kind of bid that doubles in size over time.
No one can estimate a project without a defined scope of work!
It’s useless to ask a contractor to give you a bid on your kitchen remodel without a clear scope of work and an idea of the materials and appliances you have in mind.
Great contractors run a great job site
If your contractor provided you with a clear and detailed estimate, odds are good that they’ll effectively communicate throughout the project. They’ll expertly manage their subs (like the electrician or plumber) so everyone shows up when planned and the project stays on time.
A great contractor will build your home beautifully
Of course, this is the goal, right? Even if you have a horror-story remodel that goes over-budget and over-time, and even if you hate the contractor so much you’ll never speak to them again, you hope that you’ll at least end up with a beautiful and functional space.
