What Should I Look for in a General Contractor?

Who you hire as the general contractor on your project is one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to your construction project. Your general contractor is responsible for managing and executing all aspects of your construction or repair project on your behalf.

Your general contractor serves as the central point of contact, coordinating with architects, engineers, subcontractors, inspectors, and suppliers to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and to specification. Their responsibilities include scheduling, budgeting, permitting, quality control, safety management, and day-to-day oversight of the job site.

When gathering quotes from various general contractors in Temecula, it can be tempting to go with the lowest bid. However, you also want to ensure that the general contractor you hire has the experience necessary to handle the complexity of your project—from pre-construction planning through final inspection—with clear communication and accountability.

A large project, like a custom home build in Temecula, a commercial project, or a whole-home remodel that includes an addition, will require the expertise of a general contractor who has managed projects of a similar scale in the past. They should have some sort of system in place for managing projects, such as project management software, that helps keep projects on schedule.

In addition, you want to ensure that the general contractor you hire is licensed, bonded, and insured, and only uses licensed subcontractors. Don’t just take a contractor’s word for it that he or she is licensed. It’s easy to confirm on the Contractors State License Board’s website. Make sure the name of the general contracting company or the individual contractor matches the license number you are given. If the number doesn’t match the name on the CSLB’s website, you might want to keep looking.

There are people out there who will use someone else’s number or claim that they are “working under” someone else’s license. This is illegal. If something seems fishy, it probably is. Hiring a licensed general contractor protects you! If anything goes wrong with your project, you can file a complaint with the CSLB and also file a claim against the contractor’s bond. Hiring a contractor that is insured covers you in case there is any damage done to your property. Don’t trust your project to someone who is unlicensed and uninsured. If anything goes wrong, you will have little to no recourse.

Finally, you want to hire a general contractor in Temecula with whom you can communicate well. You want to work with someone who will explain things to you clearly and completely; who will listen to your ideas and not dismiss them; and who will provide you with regular updates on the status of your project. In your initial meeting with a potential contractor for your project, ask lots of questions to gauge how they answer. That first meeting is a good indication of how communication will go if you choose to hire them.

Whatever you do, don’t rush into the decision to hire a general contractor in Temecula. Do your homework and don’t feel pressured to sign a contract until you are ready.