How to Shop for the Best Portland General Contractor

If you’re planning a new Portland home construction or major remodeling project, you’re going to need a general contractor to help you get the job done. Hiring a Portland general contractor is the first step in the physical building process once the plans and financing are in place. A general contractor works as the manager to oversee your entire project from preparing a building site to planning the exterior landscaping. His responsibilities can include getting the necessary permits, lining up subcontractors, maintaining all the financial records and making sure materials are delivered on time.

Many people don’t have a clue where to start when it comes time to find a qualified Portland general contractor that they feel they can trust with their project. If they end up with a contractor they are unsure of, the entire project can make for a very stressful time and the homeowner worries constantly about the outcome. So whether you are building a new house or simply undertaking a kitchen or bath remodel you need to find a Portland general contractor you feel you can trust to provide quality workmanship and dependable service.

Portland General Contractor: Putting Together Your List

Search for a Portland general contractor the same way you would any other type of services provider, preferably through recommendations of family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Talk with your local building supply dealer or check online for listings of general contractors in your area. Look in the phone directory but don’t focus on the largest, flashiest listing you see. While it’s true that such listings may represent a large established business, you may find that you’ll get more preferential treatment by working with someone with fewer clients.

Before you decide on any Portland general contractor, make a call to your local Better Business Bureau to see if he or the company he represents has had any complaints filed against them. Try to get specifics and ask how any complaints were handled by the contractor. Many complaints are simply a matter of miscommunication or a minor problem that was readily taken care of by the contractor. It’s important to remember that even a reputable Portland general contractor can get an occasional complaint but what’s important is how they handle them. On the other hand, a continuing list of complaints against a general contractor can mean there’s a serious problem with the contractor or his company.

Make certain that any Portland general contractor you plan to hire carries the appropriate licensing and insurance. Call or go online and check with the state licensing board to determine if a general contractor is listed. It’s also important that that they carry liability insurance and workers compensation to cover their employees. You also need to make sure the Portland general contractor is bonded. If the contactor should abandon the project, the bond will protect you so you can get the job completed.

Obtaining an estimate from a Portland General Contractors

Once you have a list of contractors in mind, it’s time to collect bids for your project. Keep your selection to just a few. It can be costly for a Portland general contractor to prepare a well thought-out bid. He has to take time from current projects or work extra hours putting together a quote. By keeping the bidding process to just a select few, the general contractor knows he at least has a good chance of winning your contract. Too much competition and the best contractors may simply walk away because they have better things to do than spend time on a job they have a slim chance of getting.

Before a Portland general contractor can bid on your project, they’ll need some information to work with, such as the size and scope of the entire project and an estimated time for completion. You should also provide each general contractor with an itemized list of what you want included in each bid. You don’t want just a total figure. They’ll need to give you a written rundown of each individual aspect of the job, such as what the plumbing or electrical will cost and what is involved in each of these steps. You can also ask for a list of potential subcontractors so you’ll know ahead of time who will be working on your project.

Choosing the Best Portland General Contractors for the Job

Once you have your bids in hand you can begin making comparisons. When deciding on a Portland general contractor you’ll not only have to determine which bid is to your advantage financially but also which one is the best suited for your particular project. It’s possible that the general contractor with the most experience is your best choice, but it may be better to go with a contractor that’s newer to the business. They often want to establish a trustworthy reputation and work with people that will later recommend them. A newer Portland general contractor may be more conscientious and work harder because he wants to establish his reputation and develop a good client base. Just make sure he has enough previous experience to handle the job.

What it all comes down to is not only finding the Portland general contractor that will give you the most value for your money but also one that is the most suited for your particular project and one that you feel confident working with. Don’t feel you have to choose the first general contractor you talk with or accept the lowest bid. While money is certainly a determining factor, it’s also important to realize that a Portland general contractor is someone you will need to establish a good relationship with, so there is a degree of chemistry involved. Remember that the Portland general contractor you choose holds the future of your home in his hands.