Finding the right general contractor for your Orangeville renovation is a very important decision. The wrong choice could cost you more money than you budgeted and leave you feeling angry and frustrated. Make the right choice from the start with this handy guide.
Outline Your Needs
Before you start your search, identify your needs:
- What are the specifics of your project—will you be renovating your entire home, finishing your basement, or adding a sunroom? This will help you narrow down your list to the general contractors in Orangeville who have the capacity for your project.
- What’s your budget? What can you afford to spend on contracting services?
- What’s your timeline? When do you want to start your renovation, and when do you need it to be finished?
Nail down these aspects of your project to keep your search for a general contractor in Orangeville on track and under your control.
Collect Information and Recommendations
Gather information from different sources to find the ideal general contractor in Orangeville for your job. Start by asking family, friends, and neighbours who you know have worked with contractors locally. These acquaintances are more likely to be honest and open with you and to have your best interests at heart. Read reviews on online platforms like Yelp, Angi, and HomeStars.
Check with local business groups such as homebuilders’ associations, the Better Business Bureau, and boards of trade for general contractors who are members.
Select Your Top Picks
Narrow your choice down to 3-5 top general contractors in Orangeville and ask them for references to a few previous clients. Here are some questions you can ask to assess the suitability of each candidate:
- How was your overall experience with the contractor?
- Would you work with this contractor again or choose another general contractor in Orangeville?
- Did the contractor communicate clearly and transparently, or were they vague and difficult to contact?
- Did they meet the projected timeline and budget?
- Was there anything about the contractor that you wished had been different?
Ask the references if it’s possible to see the work yourself. This may seem like an odd thing to ask a stranger, but people are often excited to show off their new reno, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Ask for Quotes
Get quotes from 2 or 3 of the general contractors in Orangeville you would consider hiring. Here is what you should look for in a professional quote:
- A summary of the scope of the project: what will be done and what is covered in the quote.
- Their timeline, including their start date, important milestones such as the completion of the framing and installation of HVAC, as well as a projected completion date.
- A payment schedule detailing the initial deposit and timing of subsequent payments.
- The contractor’s HST number, which every reputable general contractor in Orangeville should have handy.
Additional Screening Questions
Once you’ve settled on a top candidate, do a final check. Any qualified general contractor in Orangeville should be happy to provide these details:
- How long they’ve been in business.
- Who their suppliers are, and how reliable those suppliers are.
- Who they use as subcontractors and trades, and how certain they are of their availability.
- Whether they are licensed and what types of insurance they have, ask them to see their insurance certificates and verify that they have sufficient coverage of the right types.
- Whether they have other projects currently underway and how they plan to schedule their time and their tradespeople.
- What type of warranty do they provide.
- How flexible they are with change requests.
Choosing a general contractor in Orangeville or anywhere else can be challenging, but with perseverance, you’ll find one you can work with who will leave you with a home you’ll be excited to show off.
About Frameworks Renovation
As a top general contractor in Orangeville contractor, Frameworks Renovation is proud to have completed projects both large and small for many satisfied homeowners. We work with highly reliable suppliers, enjoy excellent working relationships with the Town of Orangeville and its building professionals, and have a sizeable, dependable network of trades and craftspeople.
We are happy to provide you with a detailed quote that gives you all the information you need to make an informed decision about the right general contractor for your job. Give us a call at (519) 216-5507, email us, or use our online contact form to talk about your ideas and get a no-obligation quote. We look forward to hearing about your project.