Here at Reliable Building Services this is a topic that is near and dear to our hearts.

We know that we may be a little bias as to what is the right way verses the not so right way to get construction projects started, but there are things to look for and watch out for. Additionally with our 25 yrs. of experience in the construction industry we have heard horror stories that run the gamut. Everything from the simple, “They seemed honest and they had the cheapest quote” to the more complex, which usually equated to big money down the line after insurance companies became involved.

Here is a short list of things that you should look out for and some things to remember when you are getting quotes for a new construction project.

• Does the company you are looking at have any reviews?

Reviews are a great source to get an idea of what you are dealing with before you commit to a contractor/service provider. In most cases the reviews are a good measurement of what you can expect if you hire a contractor. There are some cases when mud slinging trumps reality, but mostly reviews can save you from a horrible experience with a sub par contractor. Angie’s List, Home Advisor and Facebook are some good places to look for reviews and you can also ask the contractor for references and if they are good and the project is a large one they will have a list of previous customers that would even let you see the work they did for them.

• Pay attention to appearance and ask questions.

Did the contractor pull up in a beat up truck with a cracked windshield? Are they dressed like a professional contractor or are they wearing holey, dirty clothes. I know that this seems somewhat ridiculous, but it is relevant. If they do not care how they look, more than likely, they will only do the minimum required on your construction project to get paid. There are some exceptions but generally it holds true. Along with looks asking questions during the initial quoting process will give you an idea of how much knowledge and experience they have.

• Are they Licensed and Insured?

This is an obvious one and most people think of this is like DUH of course they need a license and insurance, but a lot of the time people opt for the cheaper option. That means no insurance coverage and the person performing the work may not even be an actual business. This is dangerous and a risky proposition across the board. Here is a scenario: You decide to go with the cheapest quote because, Hey, $500 is $500 and it turns out that the builder that won has no insurance. One of his workers, or even he himself gets hurt guess who is liable? That is right you the home owner is liable for his injuries and if they are serious you are in serious trouble. Equally as important is the companies business license and how long their doors have been open.

I hope that these few points help when you are looking to find the right contractor for your building project. To see more items that you should look for when selecting the right contractor check out our Reliable Difference page here and see what makes Reliable Building Services the better choice.