All Forum Posts by: Ardel ALegre

 DO NOT even attempt to do this without a LONG-TERM team in place, it will not end well. They will tell you exactly what you want to hear.  Just connect with those doing deals they have trusted crews. It took me years. I now have about 30 guys that say how hi when tell them to jump. What you need to do is find guys like @Bruce Woodruff in Columbus. Maybe if you ask nicely Bruce will set up shop there LOL . Connect with @Remington Lyman he seems to be one of the good guys out there 

All the best 

I'd suggest looking for FB groups of investors in the area. Ask them if they've heard of a couple of the contractors (I wouldn't give a list of 20 or anything) and also ask for recommendations. 

Have you also looked them up on BBB? Check there and check Google reviews. I agree with basically everything @Bruce Woodruff said as well. :) I once had a "GC" who had insurance to paint... which means I couldn't get his insurance to cover a few things that otherwise would have been covered. 

What everyone needs to make certain of in a GC is that they are licensed if it is required. And check with the Registrar Of Contractors to make sure that their license is in good standing without any black marks. Unfortunately for you, the State of Ohio does not require builders to be licensed, just electricians, plumbers, and HVAC. Which is bass-ackwards, but that's another conversation...

Same other general rules apply though - 

1) Get at least 3 bids.

2) Make sure they have adequate liability insurance and ask that you be named as additional insured on the project.

3) Really important - make sure they have Workers Compensation Insurance - ask to see proof of these insurances, don't just say "are you insured".

4) Ask to see a proposal and contract from another job. They should be well worded and lengthy, not short and written on the back of a bar napkin :-)

5) Of course ask to see other projects that they have completed, or are working on currently. Sometimes doing a walk-through of a current project can reveal a lot of how they operate and run their jobsite - is it neat and clean? Are the customers happy? Ask.

6) Never pay more than 10% in advance, regardless of what they say. They can start getting draws on the project once they are on-site and producing results.

7) Demand lien releases before you give a payment to them for their subs. I.e. when the electrician is finished and the GC wants a check to pay them for final draw, get an unconditional Lien release from the electrician (through the GC)

8) Get a schedule of sorts included in the Contract. You will not be able to stick to it, but get it down in writing anyway, including an estimated completion date.

Hope this helps a little, ask if you have more questions....