Building a custom home in the South Tampa area is not a project that most people jump headfirst into. You may have spent many long months or even years reviewing design ideas, finalizing the scope of the project that you want to complete, researching neighborhoods to build in and preparing your finances for this huge project. You may now finally be at a stage where you are ready to get the ball rolling on your home construction project. The next step is to find a reputable contractor to complete quality work while also staying within budget. These helpful tips can guide you through this decision-making process.
Firm Up the Scope of Your Project
Reputable and experienced general contracting firms need to know the full scope of your project up-front before they can prepare a written quote. They need to know basic details, such as square footage and the lay of the land. They also need to know the types of building materials that you intend to use. For example, the level of skills and the time required to install carpet are very different than skills and time required to install an ornate tile floor with mosaic designs. By providing as much information as possible to contractors, you can receive more accurate and detailed written estimates.
Request Referrals from Trusted Sources
Some people who are preparing to build a custom home in South Tampa approach requesting quotes from the mentality of leaving no stone unturned. The reality is that contacting a dozen or more contracting firms for estimates can be unnecessarily time-consuming. Remember that you will need to review references and credentials from each contracting company that you are seriously thinking about hiring. Rather than contacting every contracting firm that you can find, request referrals from a few trusted sources. This may include friends who have recently gone through this experience, your architect, the real estate agent who facilitated your land purchase and industry professionals you are familiar with.
Check References and Credentials
Through these initial steps, you likely now have a list of at least a couple of reputable firms. Before you have a consultation with each firm to discuss the scope of your project, take the proactive step to inquire about their current liability insurance policy’s status and to request references that you can contact directly. You may also ask about the credentials of their staff members and their process for hiring subcontractors.
Request and Review Written Estimates
The final step to take is to request written estimates. Because you provided different contracting firms with very detailed plans for your new home project, you should reasonably expect the firms to return detailed estimates with minimal loopholes for them to increases costs. Be sure to read the fine print on all estimates. It may be worthwhile to also verbally discuss the estimates with the contractors so that you can get a better idea for any possible variations to the prices listed.
When you do your homework up-front to screen and hire the right general contractor, you can expect to enjoy a generally smoother and less stressful process going forward. The right contracting company will take the lead with the project and keep you informed of the status along the way. Schedule a consultation with Alair Homes South Tampa for more information.