How To Hire A Tucson Builder ~ General Contractor

You've probably seen it on the news, and as a Tucson builder over the years, we have received calls from homeowners with an unfinished addition, swimming pool, or a room in the house that has been gutted to the point of being unusable, and they're wondering what to do to get their job finished. The down payment along with the previous contractor is gone, and never to be seen again.

Each year this happens to many homeowners right here in Tucson. Many homeowners are either solicited by unlicensed contractors, or even contractors that are licensed sometimes give bids to do the work that are so low, there is no way the work can be performed for that amount. Whether licensed or unlicensed, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Checking with the Registrar of Contractors to verify a license in good standing is not enough.

Get recommendations. Start with family or friends who have hired a Tucson Builder.

Pay a visit to your local lumberyard, or home improvement store. Go to the contractors' desk. They see Tucson builders regularly, and know which ones buy quality materials, and get their jobs completed. Then get references from the builders you want bids from. Check out the references given to you. Maybe check out a current job site. Is the job kept neat and safe? Are the workers courteous and careful with the homeowner's property?

After an initial phone conversation, meet the builders face-to-face.

It is crucial that you can communicate with your builder. When a person will be working in, or around your home or office, sometimes for several weeks, it is important to have a person you can rely on, and feel comfortable working with. You can go over the scope of the project, and the builder can see the area in which the work has to be done. It is going to make a difference if what you are proposing is not accessible, like a block wall around the back yard, or no access from the street, etc.

Get a written bid proposal, and contract.

Make sure that the whole scope of the project is listed in detail, and that you fully understand the terms. If getting multiple bids, make sure the bids are detailing the same items, and that you are comparing apples to apples. Many times you get bids, and the lists of items don't compare to the others. Some Tucson builders will submit bids that appear to be lower, but leave out many details that have to be done, and then charge a lot of extras on the project.

Extras and Change Orders.

Frequently there are extras that come up as the project progresses. It is common to include items that homeowners had not thought of until after seeing how the project looks as it is built; or for unseen issues that are uncovered during the course of the project, and previously unknown, such as termites or leaking pipes. Discuss how extras and change orders will be handled in advance, and any changes should be put in writing with an amount that is approved by you, and the builder, before the work is done. The most expensive words in the English language can be, "While you're at it..."

Most construction bids should have a list of "allowances."

These are amounts that are included in a bid to give an overall estimate of costs. Allowances are amounts for items that the homeowner needs to pick out for their own tastes, for example, tile, lighting, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, appliances, wood flooring, carpet, etc. We usually include allowance prices that are pretty standard--not the cheapest materials, or light fixtures, but not high-end. There is a very wide range, and with the list of allowances, when the bid is put together, you know all the items that need to go into the project. If you want to save money, you can pick out appliances, or fixtures, that are a little less, or if there are certain faucets, or tile that you really want, you can add the difference in the cost of the allowance price, and still have an accurate bid.

Most bid proposals will have a payment schedule included.

It is customary to pay a deposit at the signing of the contract, for initial material costs, and/or demolition, up to 50% of the contract price on smaller jobs, and usually 10-15% on larger jobs, which may also require a deposit for special order items that have a longer delivery time. As the job progresses, there are progressive billings, through each phase of the contract as completed, with the final payment on completion of the work.

Hope these tips give you an idea of what to expect when hiring a Tucson Builder, and you will have a very satisfied outcome with your project!