What questions to ask before signing a contract with a construction company?

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What questions to ask before signing a contract with a construction company?

Refurbishing or building a new home is a big emotional and financial investment. Knowing what to expect from the contractor before the project starts will help you to prepare better for this process. Here are several questions that you should ask the construction company before hiring them for your project.

What is our schedule?

Schedule means more than the starting and ending date of the project. A schedule or timeline outlines the timing and tasks giving you an overall picture of the deadlines and sequencing of the project, but also a benchmark so that you know if things are slipping by a day or two.

 Who will be here every day?

Depending on the structure and size of the company you hire, the answer could vary a lot. Ask the contractor who will be the person responsible for opening and locking up, who can you call on a daily basis if you have questions and who will supervise subcontractors on site.

How will you protect my property?

This question should be asked before demolition, not after you arrive home and find dust all over the place. There are several dust-containment measures that can be taken. Talk about them ahead of time and you will know how the construction area will be protected and confined from the rest of the house. You will also know how you will be able to move through your house.

You should also ask how all the items in the house will be protected, such as furniture, books, drapes, paintings, etc. Ask the company if you should remove them or they will be covered with something.

How will you communicate with me?

Ask the contractor how the communication between you will take place: phone calls, emails, skype, etc. Make sure you make it clear how you will be contacted and how you will receive information. You can also schedule weekly meetings at a specific time and meet the contractor in person to have your questions answered.

What will happen if there is a change order?

Change orders can be easily added to your contract. In fact, the best way to document any change is in writing. Any change in price or scope of the project should be added to the initial contract and signed by both of you. Make sure you have a plan in place to document the unexpected and expected changes that happen along the way.

How will you let me know I need to make a decision?

You can use a calendar, lists, notes or spreadsheets to organize a list of decisions, but all of them focus on the same outcome: helping you know what and when you need to make a decision on something. Ask your contractor to give you a list, as well as deadlines that will help you keep organized.

How do I reach you after hours?

Sometimes emergencies appear. That is why it is very important to know how you can reach your contractor after the working hours. This also applies the other way round. Make sure you exchange phone numbers (landline, cell and work phone) so that you can contact each other whenever is necessary.

When do I need to be available to meet?

Even if you agree upon regular weekly meetings, there might still be necessary to have additional meetings. For example you will need to meet when the electrician sets the electrical installation, or when the tile-setter works on layout.

What kind of documentation will I receive when the project is done?

Usually the contracts mention the end-of-project paperwork, such as copies of inspection reports, marked-up plans with as-builts on plumbing and other utilities, lien releases, etc. But there are many other things that you should talk about, such as having photos taken at the beginning, middle and end of the project, or whenever you want, receiving the operating manuals for installed equipment, a list of subcontractors and contact info, etc.

Make sure that you talk about all these things with your contractor before you sign a contract.

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