Choosing a General Contractor to Build Your Custom Home

Building a custom home from the ground up is a dream come true for many people, but this process can be quite complicated. Those who don't take the time to find a world-class contractor could find themselves with shoddy work, lengthy delays, or even an expensive legal battle. Here are some tips you can use to find a general contractor that always puts their clients first.

Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
No matter how small the job might be, any general contractors you ever hire should be licensed, bonded, and insured for the work they are doing. They should also be able to provide you with proof that their insurance and licenses are up-to-date. If they cannot do that, then it is time to find yourself a different contractor. 

Ask for a Phone Interview
Everyone has a busy schedule, and that is why you might want to narrow your list of contractors by conducting a short phone interview with each of the potential candidates. During these interviews, you should ask for basic information such as their experience, the size of their team, and information on their past clients. Most experienced contractors keep a list of references they will be happy to share with you. 

Pick Three or Four Candidates for Estimates
After you have gotten the phone interviews out of the way, you should have a list of three or four candidates you would like to meet with in person to discuss estimates. Before meeting with them, you will want to collect as much information as possible. This includes your own price range, thoughts on materials, the construction site, and the plans you will be using. 

Bids, Guarantees, and Warranties
When you have finally settled on a single contractor, every single aspect of your home should be completely planned out. This includes how they will deal with unusual situations that might take place such as certain materials getting sold out or a building license coming late. Guaranteeing a completion date and price for a custom home can be tricky, but they should have an upper limit that is clearly stated in your contract.

Choosing a contractor is one of the most important steps in building a custom home. That is why it is so important to take your time and do as much research as possible on these individuals and their companies.