Beacon November 2014
Choosing a Contractor
By Wendy Manley, CKD
An important part of any renovation product is the contractor hired to do the work. This choice is an extremely important one. There are so many contractors in the Jupiter/Tequesta area and finding the right one for the job can be a tough decision.
There are several things to consider when choosing. The first, and most important, would be to make sure the contractor is a licensed General Contractor (GC). Any construction on your property should be done by a crew of licensed and insured personnel. This is to ensure that the work all of the GC’s subcontractors will be to code. And, also, that any unfortunate injuries or accidents in your home will be covered by their Workman’s Compensation insurance. Second, would be to find out if the project requires a permit and is your GC willing to obtain one for all aspects of the job. Building codes have gotten much stricter in recent years. While pulling a permit may seem like a hassle in the beginning, it is much more of a hassle to get caught in the middle of a project without one. The fines and time delays are just not worth it as they often can be quite hefty. Third, and also very important, is to get previous client referrals from your GC. Visit homes and talk with previous clients to get a feel for the GC’s craftsmanship, timeliness and job completion. Ask the previous client if they would use the same GC for their next project. With so many GC’s in the area, it is important to weed out the ones that just are not right for you. And remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for”. Less expensive is not always as it seems and can end up costing you more in the end.
We have a list of credible and talented GC’s at Waterview Kitchens. So before you start your next project, come in and see us. We can help steer you in the right direction!!!