6551 S. Revere Pkwy Suite #125  -  Centennial, CO  80111

Complete Home Remodeling Services:

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bars, Basements, Scrape and Rebuild, Decks and more...

Although it may seem like a simple process, selecting the right contractor for your project can make the difference between a smooth building experience and a nightmare that you warn all your friends about on projects to come. We have all heard the horror stories from people that had a contractor run off with money or leave a project unfinished, but you may not hear as much about projects that were done poorly, took forever or projects that simply did not yield what the customer wanted <em>Having criteria upon which you select your contractor will help to ensure that the project will be completed on time, on budget and with quality craftsmanship that you can be proud of.

So what do you look for? Here are a few things we would encourage people to examine as they go through the process of selecting a contractor for their project. They are ideals and principals that we at Gates Custom Homes adhere to and they are things we would hope people find in their contractor be it Gates Custom Homes or any other contractors in the Denver area.

Presentation:

There is a lot to be said of your first impression when meeting a contractor. Most often you can tell a lot about them in the way they handle the first appointment. Are they prompt? Do they return your phone calls in a timely manner and show up for their appointment when scheduled? It they don't respect your time in the beginning, when they are trying to earn your business, you can expect more of the same once the project is started. Are they Professional? Do they conduct themselves in a business-like manner? A good contractor will be a good people person. They will answer your questions directly and follow through on tasks left undone in your first appointment. Construction is certainly not a suit and tie type of business, but the contractor should present themselves well when attending an initial appointment. Being cleaned up and well kept is as good indication that they are concerned about the details and will take care in respecting your home during the course of the project.

Communication:

The ability for a contractor to communicate well will make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful project. Whether it is new home construction or remodeling, your contractor needs to be able to listen to and understand what your vision and goals are for the end result of the project. They are responsible for taking your ideas and turning them into tasks and objectives for their workers. May times problems arise because the contractor fails to clarify and confirm what they are hearing from their clients. Just because a potential contractor can speak the lingo and sound knowledgeable, does not mean they can complete your project the way you would like it to be done. They need to be able to speak to you in terms you understand and then translate your wants and desires to the workers on the project. A good contractor will also be able to help set and manage their clients’ expectation for the project from the very first phone call or meeting. Many homeowners are new to doing construction projects and they need to be educated as to what the project will entail in terms of materials, labor, timeline and cost.

Skills and Experience:

Not all construction projects are created equal and neither are contractors. Construction is a vast industry with a great deal of specialized trades. A person that is a great kitchen remodeler may not be a suitable to take on adding a second story to your home. Some projects have high levels of complexity and you want to make sure your contractor is qualified to do the work. Ask your potential contractors question about what types of projects they have completed in the past. Make sure they have experience doing the type of project you’re thinking about. Ask them about the trades they will use to work on your project. Make sure that the tradesmen are specialized in their field and not a "jack of all trades". You want a licensed plumber and electrician to do your plumbing and electrical, respectively, because that is what they do everyday and that is what they know. You don't want people that dabble in a little bit of everything, because generally it will show in the quality of their work and it may lead to problems down the road. You also want your contractor to be educated about their industry. There are constantly new products and methods coming onto the market and many of those items are better products or better ways to do things. A good contractor will stay up to date on the latest and greatest in the industry in order to offer their clients product and services that can enhance their project and possibly save them money.

Reputation:

If a contractor is as good as they claim to be, they will have the track record to prove it. A good contractor should provide you with a list of references without having to ask for it. The list will have names and contact information so you can easily check on their previous customers' satisfaction. If possible, it is good to visit some of their previous projects to examine the craftsmanship first hand. It is also a good idea to get trade references. Talking with subcontractors and suppliers can give you a good idea of how they are perceived in the industry.

Good Business Practices:

A quality contractor will have all of the appropriate licenses and insurance coverage’s that meet industry standards. All contractors should have a general contractor’s license in the city or county you work in. Their trades should be licensed by the state for electrical and plumbing and by the city or county for mechanical. They should carry general liability insurance with limits that cover the exposure on your project (check with your homeowner’s insurance agent if you are unsure) and they should also carry workers compensation insurance. Workers compensation is not required for smaller companies that have no true employees, but it is a good thing to have because it protects the homeowner in the event that a subcontractor’s insurance lapses and they are injured on your project. A good contractor should use written proposals and contracts that explain in detail the scope of work to be done, a timeline in which the work is expected to be complete and a cost for the work. Most contractors use a fixed price contract, so there is not an itemized list of costs. If having an itemized list is of importance to you, you will want to clarify that with the contractor in the initial meeting. Lastly, a good contractor will excel in coordination, planning and management for a project. Ask your potential contractor questions about how they organize their projects and who will oversee the day to day management. Some projects do not require the contractor to be onsite each and every day, but you want to be confident that they are aware of what’s happening on the job and that they are scheduling the tradesmen and procuring materials so that the process flows smoothly.