When you are considering different building contractors, the key is to ask the right questions to ensure they’re a good fit for your project. Use these questions as a guide to evaluate potential contractors:
1. “WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE?”
Ask about the contractor’s experience in the industry and their expertise in handling projects similar to the project you want them managing. Ask to see their portfolio, or examples of past work, that demonstrate their capabilities.
2. “ARE YOU LICENSED AND INSURED?”
Verify that the contractor has all the required licenses and permits for your area. Ask about their insurance coverage, including liability insurance and workers’ compensation, to protect yourself and your property from any potential risks.
Cape Town Home | Architect: ARRCC | Construction: JNA Projects | QS: RLB Quantity Surveyors | Photographer: Karl Rogers Photography
3. “CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY REFERENCES?”
Ask for at least five valid references from previous clients or projects. Speaking with the contractor’s past clients can provide valuable insights into the contractor’s reliability, professionalism, quality of workmanship and trustworthiness.
4. “WHAT WILL MY PROJECT TIMELINE AND BUDGET BE?”
Discuss the estimated timeline for completing your project and any potential factors that could affect it – weather conditions or material availability. Ask for the best- and worst-case estimate. Clarify the payment schedule to ensure it fits your budget and expectations.
5. “HOW DO YOU HANDLE UNFORSEEN CHANGES AND COMMUNICATION WITH A CLIENT?”
Inquire about the contractor’s process for handling changes to the project scope, as well as their communication methods and frequency of updates. When you don’t have clear communication with your contractor, it can cause plenty of frustration and influence the overall outcome of your project. Gather as much information as possible from all the possible sources to make the bestinformed decision for your project.
Constantia Home | Architect: Jed Kritzinger | Photographer: Karl Rogers Photography
