The one who successfully completes your job of course! Awards and recognition notwithstanding, the best contractor for one project, may not be the best for yours. So how do you go about finding YOUR best contractor in Orange County? There is no shortage of good contractors around, but to find the best one for you, consider following these simple steps and you’ll be on track to finding the best contractor in Orange County.
Write a Job Description
It only needs to be a paragraph or two (or longer depending on the project) and should include all the necessary details a contractor will need to provide an accurate estimate. As you receive estimates from individual contractors and compare their responses you can be confident they’re working off the same page…your description.
Get at Least Three Estimates
Getting fewer estimates may not give you enough comparable information, more than three and you may be bogged down under an avalanche of numbers. Keep in mind while comparing estimates that price should not be your only determining factor. Extremely low bids should be considered with skepticism, if it’s not evident how a contractor is able to complete the work at a decidedly less amount (one explanation may be that they own the needed equipment while other contractors need to include the cost of leasing the equipment) it’s possible the cost savings will show up in materials or workmanship of lesser quality.
Get Everything in Writing
The best contractors will not hesitate to provide estimates, pricing, and schedules, etc., in writing. This is just a sound business practice and for good reason; it protects both parties’ interests if problems arise down the line.
Know Before You Sign
Verify the contractor’s credentials prior to signing a contract for the project. Licensing and insurance are examples of relevant credentials.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Both you and your contractor need to be kept informed of the project status, changes and any number of issues which can arise during construction (and sometimes even before and after). Don’t wait for your contractor to contact you, if you have questions or concerns contact him or her directly. Your best contractor is a professional and will respond to you accordingly. Encourage them to contact you with any question or concern they may have as well.
Don’t Skip the Final Walk-Through
After completion walk through the project with a copy of your contract and job description and compare results. This is your opportunity to point out any deficiencies, or better yet to appreciate the contractor’s workmanship.
Family owned and operated since 1989, Greater Pacific Construction is considered the top Orange County Contractor for residential and commercial projects.
