How to Find a Great Contractor

Finding a general contractor in Victoria can be hard. The construction industry is booming, prices are rising, and it seems like all the good contractors are either booking jobs a year out or charging a small fortune for basic services. Experienced, professional contractors can be found though, and a great general contractor can be your most important asset when it comes to remodeling your home.

As you probably know, not every contractor will suit your particular job, so here’s a few tips to help you get started:

Your Most Trusted Resource: Referrals

When most people start their search they go straight to Google, thinking it should be their number one resource. While that is still a good idea, Google often doesn’t turn up much when it comes to the smaller companies, who often only have a simple webpage or Facebook page to offer.

Don’t write these smaller companies off just yet though. Some of these smaller contractors have 25+ years of experience, and learned their trade the old fashioned way – training directly under a master builder, and working their way up, mastering one trade at a time.

A referral is the most straightforward way to find an exceptional tradesperson in a city full of “experts”. Asking around and building yourself a list of contractors to talk to can be the best way to figure out what your options are.

Another good place to start is simply by driving around your neighborhood and looking at work done by contracting companies in your area. Your home is as unique as you are, so finding a contractor that suits your style is often a matter of preference. I find the morning is the best time to do this. A company that starts work on time can be a good sign if you’re not sure where to start.

Ask Questions

Once you’ve connected with a few different contractors, it’s time to narrow it down. Give them a call and let them know that you’re interested in a couple different remodeling projects. Talk to them about your ideas, and explain to them that if this project goes well you’ve got a few other projects you’d like to tackle in the future.

After you’ve built a rapport with the contractors, go ahead and ask a few questions to see whether they’re the right fit for your business.

Here’s a few to get you started:

• What companies do they work with as far as subcontractors and construction specialists?
• What kind of jobs do they typically look for? (Does your job fit their needs?)
• What kind of time frame are they looking at? Do they have time to take on an extra client right now?
• Do they have a list of references from past clients?

After you’ve talked to a few contractors, you’ll have an idea of which company will be the best fit for you. The next step would be to meet with them in person. This is a great opportunity to sit down, sketch out a couple rough ideas, and make sure that they’ll be a good fit, as you’ll be working closely with them for a while.

Think Long-Term

Building a relationship with a contractor takes time, but it’s worth it in the long run. After spending months working with one company, you’ll get to know the way your contractor thinks and build trust. Developing a long-term relationship with a contractor is easy: listen to their advice, do your research – but try not to haggle too much on their prices, and keep them in mind for your next job. A business relationship built on trust helps everyone in the long run.