Choosing a remodeling contractor is a bit like selecting a mate. You’re entrusting a GC with your hopes and dreams—and a considerable amount of your money. The contractor and the subs will virtually be members of your family for the duration of the job. The relationship is likely to be intense, and the habits and communication style of those working on the project tend to have a good deal of impact not only on the success of the project but also your own family life. Try to identify a candidate who will be responsive to your concerns and direction—someone you can work with.

 

Traditionally, the best way to identify contractors for a given project is through word-of-mouth. A recommendation from an architect or other designer should carry a lot of weight if he or she has experience working with the individual.  Referrals from family, neighbors and friends are also a good place to start as long as there’s personal experience to back up the reference.

 

Some local building departments are willing to provide names of builders in the area. Since building inspectors get to see everyone’s work, their opinions, too, can be valuable. Real estate agents are another good source for contractor referrals.

 

Internet directories and referral services can provide a broader set of candidates and are very worthwhile, especially if the listings are accompanied by customer evaluations. Internet referral services particularly can speed up the process because you’ll tend to get responses from contractors who are eager and ready to work.

 

Always identify at least three candidates to bid on the project—more, if you have the time and patience vet them all thoroughly.  Meet with each, and if a designer is involved, include him or her in the initial meeting.

 

Present each contractor with detailed plans and specs, have each walk the site, and talk through the project, your needs and expectations. Ask the contractor how much experience he or she’s had with projects similar to yours. Ask if you can see some completed projects and for contact information for customers who can provide references.

 

In this meeting, assess the candidate’s way of being. Is he or she confident and organized? Communicative?  Did he or she turn up for the meeting at the agreed time, or were there postponements and/or excuses for being late?

 

Does the person ask questions and take notes? Failure to do so can indicate a lack of engagement or a determination to do things according to his or her own agenda, no matter what anyone says. Do you feel like you have the candidate’s attention? What about the person’s temperament—a good fit with your own? Is the candidate business-like? That’s what you want.

 

If all goes well during the first meeting, tell the candidate that you want an itemized bid for materials and labor, and set a date for it to be submitted. If possible, try to agree on a format for the bid and how the work will be broken down within it.

 

You’ll do yourself and all of the contractor candidates a favor if you can prepare the work breakdown accurately and thoroughly in a way that assures that all bidders are bidding on the same project in the same way. In the end, it will make it easier for you to analyze and compare bids line for line. If you were smart and created a parametric estimate during the planning phase, it might provide a useful model for the work breakdown used for the bid.

 

While you’re waiting for the bids to be prepared, check out your candidates’ references and try to view samples of their work. Ask their customers about their experiences in working with each bidder. Did things go smoothly? Was the job completed on schedule? On budget? Were the subcontractors and other workers reliable and considerate? Were there any surprises? Problems—how were they resolved? Would you work with the contractor again? Any reservations? What terms are you on with the contractor now?

 

When the bids come in, you’ll want to crunch the numbers. But apart from the prices quoted, you should evaluate the care and quality with which the bid was prepared. Does the bid reflect in detail what was represented in the drawings and specs? Is it easy to understand? Did the contractor send it along without questions or comments? If so, it could be a signal that the contractor didn’t study the plan carefully or that he intends to do it his own way regardless of the specs. It’s a good sign when a builder points out possible problems in the design or specs and suggests alternatives. It shows experience and foresight.

 

Did the contractor deliver the bid when promised? Or did the person fail to call you until it was ready and offer excuses about being overworked or having family problems? Remember, the contractor is likely to treat you the same way or worse once he or she gets the job as during the bidding process.

 

Before accepting any bid—high low or in between (see Analyzing Remodeling Bids), factor in the information and observations you’ve gathered about the contractors during the process. Whatever the price, your sense about whom you can form the best working relationship with should tip the scales in his or her favor.