How to find a good contractor?

Does your state make complaints public info? If so, any agency that deals in the building trades or licensing, or consumer protection, may have info you can use to at least avoid the ones they have complaints on already. Also, court records are public but not always convenient to search if not online. You can find out from your state's secretary of state office, usually, what other names or corporation names a contractor has gone by, to see if there's a pattern of dissolving corporations to get out of paying judgments or debts. Asking past customers of a developer is easier because you can go by property records and ask customers you choose to ask, not just hand-selected "references." With a remodeler, that's not likely to work. But, if the records are public, see if the contractor you're considering has filed any mechanic's liens, (or if his suppliers have had to), and then try to find those homeowenrs and ask them their side of the story. Oftentimes they paid the contractor, but the contractor didn't pay his supplier. Or, they stopped paying a contractor when he didn't perform, and he placed the lien himself, even if not valid. It happens. Like the other suggestions said, ask peole who know, like suppliers, lawyers, etc, but unfortunately there's no guarantees.

Reply to
frippletoot
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I want to build a kitchen addition to my house. Excavation, foundation and possible floor framing I want to leave to a contractor. Rest of the work I will be doing myself. How do I find a good reputable contractor in central NJ? I asked several friends of mine, no one built additions so they cannot give me any referrals. I had previously very little and bad experience with contractors. So this time I want to be very careful. I don't want just to open YellowPages and start calling all building contractors by alphabet.

Reply to
Alexander Galkin

Yes, check the BBB but don't assume that a "good" report means anything. I found out from our BBB that they don't make complaints public. If they decide to change a company's rating based on number of complaints, that can take years. In the meantime if you go too seriously by a "good" BBB report you can be misled. Astonishing, but many state agencies are not forthcoming about consumer's complaints either. You should ask if they make complaints public, as well as asking if they HAVE complaints.

Reply to
frippletoot

You might ask for referals through your local lumber yard.

Reply to
GLT

Call an attorney who specializes in construction litigation and ask him the name of a builder he hasn't sued yet. :>)

Reply to
Art

We have several consumer groups where I live, one is called Diamond certified. I don't know if you have equivalent there. In Ca a contractor is required to have a license for work over $500, I don't know if NJ has an equivalent system. Better Business bureau is another source:

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Ron

Reply to
Ron

In addition, ask for references and follow up on them. A good contractor won't balk at this request. Ron

Reply to
Ron

This way you will either get list THE MOST expansive GC (cause they pay the most to subs), or GCs relatives of subs.

1) Ask people who done those projects for references 2) Call county inspectors ( they not always allowed to give references, so just be smart: ask questions about your project, inspections and they will give away good GCs / subs 3) Ask phonebook GCs for references, and do call those people. Mention the names of GCs/subs you selected to the county inspector(s), see they reaction. 4) Know what you want. 5) Do you really need GCs?????
Reply to
Brian

? How do I find a good reputable contractor in central ? NJ?

Start with the local chapter of the Master Builder's Association, or the local Remodelor's Council of the National Association of Home Builders.

Best of luck, and let us know how it comes out!

Reply to
Lyle B. Harwood

foundation and

of the work I

contractor in central

so they cannot

experience with

want just to

by alphabet.

There is no easy way...but there are some workable tactics...

try this... you want a general contractor? Call 10 local

*electrical contractors ....and ask them to recommend a general.. then do the same with a dozen *plumbing contractors, ask them to recommend a general contractor... one or two names will float to the surface...those will be the best in the area for sure.

Other checks can miss the point.

Then shop the job between the top 3 or 4 general contractors..give them all the same set of plans to bid..and see what they say or recommend... you will get a feel for who you wish to deal with.

Be respectful..if you are not, or take these guys for granted... the good ones will graciously decline your project. In this area the generals are all booked.... there is a waiting list.

If you want to really save money on a project... first choose the contractor.. then tell him you want his help and advice in how to save money on the job...he will be glad to show you cheaper ways of doing the job...he makes the same regardless... and most wont mind if you do a lot of the work if you are up front about it.

Some will do the job as fill in work, if you have the time, that can save you 10 or even 20%.

The way not to save money on the job is to chizzle the contractor...I am a contractor... trust me...we are pro's at handling chizzlers... we are not about to do a job for less than cost and a reasonable profit... or we go broke. Not workable you see.

so the chizzling just runs up our costs, and the customers costs... ask instead how to cut costs on the job legitimately through design, equipment, materials or schedule changes etc.

For instance, if a job is a one month job and you insist on compressing it to a week.. be prepaired to pay double or triple the money. ... will the contractor tell you that? No... he doesnt want to loose the job because of some spin on his remarks.

Be nice to your contractor, try to be an informed customer.. have a clue... dont expect the impossible.....nice customers are valued and while they will pay for the work for sure..its the nasty ones that get screwed to the wall or declined entirely.

Phil Scott

Reply to
Phil Scott

agency that

protection, may

complaints

that just screens out the lowest level of scum bags on the bottom... not much of an advantage... but better than nothing... I suggest calling around and asking who is the best and most reasonable etc.

Also, court records are public but not always convenient

secretary

names a

dissolving

past

property

hand-selected

But, if the

has filed

then try

story.

didn't pay his

didn't perform,

happens. Like

suppliers,

Reply to
Phil Scott

Maybe look around your neighborhood and find a couple of homes that have had work done and knock on the door.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

The good ones will probably be busy. Ask if you can come and see them at whatever site they are working on at present.

Reply to
CWatters

Check building permits at local building department. Look at residential projects similar in size and scope as yours. Check by the site and ask the owners. Going back several few months in permit dates will likely yield projects that are recently completed.

Try to get by soon enough to get fresh information. After a year, you are likely to get more generalized opinions and/or minor grievances that are disproportionally critical.

Jim

Reply to
JsWLazenby

- Joseph Meehan -

- Nehmo - Except that homeowners are ill-prepared to evaluate a contractor's work. If they like a guy they once employed, chances are they liked his or her method of doing business, personality, image or something. But maybe that's what homeowners want: a pleasant experience dealing with a contractor. The actual job and its quality are secondary.

However, speaking with people who had experience with a contractor will give you better info than you could get from most other sources, such as ads.

Reply to
Nehmo Sergheyev

Reply to
William Brown

I will draw the plan and take care of all permits. I have pretty much experience with applying for permits and inspections. My township local inspectors know me in person as they visited my house several times each inspecting previous projects. I need a contractor to perform a very specific job: excavate soil for addition, build foundation and possible frame floor. I don't need anything else and I will be doing rest myself. Obviously I do not need GC.

Reply to
Alexander Galkin

You coulda posta ina alta HVACa , they are bueno at this especialy seniour

{{{{{{(( --++:!@.. " PJM " ..@!:++-- ))}}}}}} " THE ASSSSSSSSS from the past "

Reply to
m Ransley

You really never know until the work starts if the guy you hire will work out. The friend I hired turned out to be reckless and perhaps dangerous as well. He framed an entire 30' wall, including two windows (which he - and I - did nicely) and was confident that the two of us could lift it into place ourselves, or perhaps with one or two other guys. We're talking here about a

30'long 2 x 6 x 10 wall. I couldn't even lift a corner off the ground. When I told him it should be built in two 15' sections he dismissed my request as illinformed and illogical. When he realized that even he couldn't lift a corner he told me I needed to call, that very minute, about 2 guys over. He said all I needed to do was make them lunch. I was convinced that he was out of his mind, and was creating a dangerous situation for me and any hapless soul he wanted to bring over to help.

I convinced him, by being firm, that the wall needed to be slit into two sections. He was in agreement, but blew up soon after. He couldn't stand me telling him anything.

After letting him go, I bought some pulleys, rope, and made a lifting machine. I fixed the first wall, and framed and pulled up the next three all by myself. It was the greatest experience I've had so far. The walls are straight, tight, and square, and I feel safer.

I'm just an owner builder. I want to build the whole thing myself, for kicks. I don't need to be terrorised by people who resent me knowing a little more about (some of) their craft than they do. This guy had some bad habits and questionable judgement. I cut him loose at the right time, for sure.

DF

Reply to
dirt farmer

You say that because you dont understand the business and didnt pay attention to my advice to call 20 people in total... thats a broad enough spread that any special interest will be eliminated.

how do I know...Ive been in the business 40 years longer many people have been born and graduated from college... one learns a thing or two in time.

But yes if you ask just one or two contractors you could easily get special interest answers or even out right frauds recommended.

The rest of your advice isnt bad.

Phil Scott

subs

people.

Reply to
Phil Scott

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