Finding Contractors for garage remodel

[Jordan Carter]

I am looking for help/leads with finding a contractor in Nashville. We have had multiple people never show up when they say they were, multiple people show up and say they can get a quote for us and then never hear back. I have a friend that does this work, but he said he is a year out for starting jobs. I had an understanding that it could be this way, just did not think it be this challenging.  At this point, we really are just looking for someone that can say yes and get a contract signed, even if they are a few months out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

We recently bought our first home in August and are trying to convert the garage to a another bedroom and bath. The space is already climate controlled and has plumbing due to washer. We are looking to raise the floor, frame the garage door and put windows in, and add some plumbing to cerate the bathroom. 

[Ryan Normand]

I don't know anyone in Nashville, but I can offer you some advice from a contractors perspective...

Jobs like this - converting non-livable space into livable space - are rarely as simple as you'd think. Assuming you want to do it legally/correctly, it's going to involve plans, permits, city inspections, and possibly engineering. Most of this work has to be done before construction begins. So, if you don't already have city approved plans, I would suggest starting with a local draftsman or architect. Once you have plans, contractors will know you're serious and be more open to investing the time it takes to write up a bid. Do you already have an idea of how much you're willing to spend total? You'll also want to make sure your expectations are reasonable before you start spending money on plans.