One of the most important parts of a successful home remodeling or renovation project is having a clear, thorough contract with your general contractor. It can make all the difference between a project you’ll be happy with for years to come and one that costs you a lot of money and gives you a lot of trouble. A contract protects you, your budget, and your property, so when you’re negotiating an agreement, make sure to think about the following:
Licensing
Make sure that your contractor has the right licenses to meet the requirements of your city and for any specialized work, like electrical or plumbing. Ask that your contract include information about licenses and license numbers.
Insurance
Even though the contractor’s proof of insurance may not be attached to the contract, you can ask that the details of his or her insurance be written in the contract. Find out what the right amount of liability insurance is for your area, and make sure that any contractor you hire has that coverage.
Scheduling
One of the most common reasons for problems on a home remodeling job is a lack of planning. Even if you can’t avoid delays because of material availability or the weather, and even though small delays are almost certain to happen, your contract should still include details about the schedule. The expected end date and important milestones along the way are important dates to include.
Goals of the work
Detailing the work to be done will help you keep time and money under control. Work details could be a short or long list, depending on what your project involves. The work for a room addition that needs a lot of different subcontractors will be a lot more complicated than the work needed for something like putting in new flooring. No matter what kind of project you’re doing, make sure everything is written down before you start. Details could include specifications for materials, types and colors of finishes, maintenance and cleanup requirements, who is responsible for what permits and permissions, and much more.
Payments
Having a written payment schedule means that you and your contractor agree on when payments are due. This makes billing much easier. You should tie payments to certain milestones, percentages of completion, or the delivery of products like new windows or carpeting. No matter how you set your schedule, you should never pay in full for a project that isn’t done.
Warranties
Most reputable contractors in all trades offer a warranty for the work they do. Before you sign a contract, make sure your contractor’s warranty is clear about what is covered and what isn’t, and how long each coverage lasts.
With a pre-qualified contractor, you won't have to worry
It can take so much time to check out the qualifications of different contractors that many homeowners just hire the first one they call. Unfortunately, this can leave you vulnerable to dishonest contractors or bad work. At KBJ Bayonne Contracting Services, we’ve done all the work you need to feel safe about the people we recommend. We have checked each contractor’s experience, license, insurance, and qualifications, so you know you’ll be working with someone you can trust. If you want a free, no-obligation estimate on your home remodeling project, just enter your ZIP code above, and a qualified contractor will get in touch with you soon.
