“You tell me what you want and where you want it, I’ll tell you how and why.” 

         What is a contractor and what should they do?  In the past contracting was an art of its own.  It was the only way to do a home improvement project.  Contractors would bring in companies they felt would be the best trade for the project.  Whether it is looking to save time or money, help budget the project, or just wanting professionals that have the neatest and cleanest crews.  Most times it is a combination of everything.
 
          Contractors have two popular standards for being paid.  The first is they can be paid a percentage of the projects’ overall cost with payments being made in stages throughout the project, also known as "Cost plus".  This allows the customers to have a little more control of the project.  The 2nd is for the contractor to add a fee to any estimated price given and bid the project with a final figure.  This eliminates some decisions for the customer since now the contractor has a set amount.

         Contractors have the ability to offer a variety of trades as well as giving a variety of price estimating. This allows home owners to choose their price range of products, trades, and how long of a time frame to which the project would last.

         A contractor would manage the project and set up the trades to “flow like water”.   An experienced contractor can look at each tradesmen's work and know if it’s been completed properly, whether the tradesmen following them would be able to complete their tasks, and most importantly will it work for years to come.  A contractors' experience will show itself before, during, and long after the project is completed.  By making key decisions during a project you can avoid mechanical and cosmetic flaws. Among many other potential issues, many projects end up with sagging floors, constant stress cracks on walls and ceilings or mechanics not working efficiently or at all.  Most of these issues can easily be avoided with proper planning and experienced decision making.

         Contractors often would assist customers in picking almost every product involved in the project, whether they shopped with home owners or just referred them to sales people at local merchant shops that would give VIP treatment. In today’s markets there are many items claiming to be the best, longest lasting or most efficient.  Even for professionals who work in the field everyday, it can become hectic. Contractors are always looking into the newest products and techniques, and being updated by their trades as to what is hot and what’s not.  By having the answers researched and with hands on experience, it will help bring as little disruption as possible in the customers’ everyday life; an often overlooked idea and something to consider the monetary value of.

         Why should you hire a contractor?  There are many reasons why.  To list the most important ones, I will start with money.  Accomplished general contractors have steady relationships with all of their trades.  This saves you money and often helps with completion time.  Trades know their GC will be providing them with future jobs, paying on time and managing the project so they can get in, do their job, and move on with little or no difficulties. This being said, they offer services at a discounted price, and rightfully so.     

          Another key reason is to help make decisions.  Most people are very busy and don’t have the time to research all products and do background checks on trades.  This is a contractor’s common knowledge.  Picking products and items from plumbing and lighting fixtures, to tile or wood flooring, to colors and finishes; anything and everything.  All these decisions can make a homeowner overwhelmed and turn a fun exciting project into a tense burden. 
   
           Contracting also includes reviewing all aspects of the job. Knowing how things should be installed and why, is key to a successful project.  It’s not just getting the bids, choosing products, creating a schedule and collecting money.  There is the re-working of schedules due to weather or damaged/late product delivery.  Making sure each task is completed properly, and knowing if the project is ready for the next trade.  Not being ready for scheduled trades makes for a bad situation, most times ending up in a price increase.  For time is money and in this competitive market there is little room for loss.

        We also have the service factor.   I know of situations where trades have put off a home owner to satisfy a contractor or a higher paying project.  A tremendous amount of money can often be thrown away just on delays alone.  If you are paying a mortgage on a house that is not habitable or renting storage, or trying to maintain heating or cooling and the project ends up taking months longer then expected, the cost of this will easily put you over budget.  This will not happen when working with an organized contractor, in fact there should be progress on a project almost every day of the work week.

         How to choose a contractor.  Choosing the correct contractor for your project can make all the difference in the outcome.  Referrals by word of mouth are a great way to find a contractor, keep in mind you need to consider the source of the referral.  Your best option when looking for someone new is shopping locally (within a 30 minute drive) and trusting first impressions. Shopping locally offers the convenience of availability.  Meaning in the event you need a contractor present, they can be there within an acceptable time frame which could avoid costly delays.  If on meeting the contractor you feel as if you’re with a salesman and not a contractor, then you probably are.  You will know this for sure if questions about “how something is done” or “why something is done a certain way” are answered with either, “I’ll let you know, let me get back to you, or don’t worry about it.”

          Contractors should have years of hands on experience in the field of all home improvement trades, giving him the knowledge of how and why.   In choosing the best contractor, you should let him offer his opinion on the project before you explain in detail your ideas.  This will allow you to see his creative side which often comes from experience, as well as give you a fresh perspective which often leads to an unexpected idea.

       
         The appearance of the contractor will say almost everything. How professional they act, how prepared they are at estimates and their ability to listen to ideas, concerns and address them appropriately will give you a sample of their abilities.  How a contractor represents in person is how he will represent his work.

          Getting in touch with your contractor should not be a project in itself.  If a contractor is too busy to pick up his phone or return phone calls within a reasonable time frame, then they probably should not be taking on another project.   However, one thing you can not base a good or poor contractor is by tardiness.  Reason being, there is no way to put a solid time frame on serving a customer.  When you hire a contractor you expect them to provide you with ample time to satisfy all concerns. Sometimes just giving a customer an extra bit of time can ease their mind and calm a situation. So when contractors make appointments to meet with new customers they can often be delayed.  Although a no-show is unacceptable, a phone call updating you is acceptable, or even the occasional rescheduling of an appointment.  Each and every customer should be treated with the same courteousness and respect.