All Forum Posts by: John Guerrero

When searching for a contractor, there are a few key factors that I would consider in order to make an informed decision.

1. Experience: It is important to choose a contractor with a proven track record of successfully completing similar projects. Look for a contractor with experience in the specific type of work you need done. This could include experience with specific materials or building codes in your area.

2. Licensing and Insurance: It is important to work with a contractor who is licensed and insured. This will protect you from any liability in case of an accident or damage to your property during the construction process.

3.References and Reviews: It is a good idea to ask the contractor for references and to check online reviews. Talking to previous clients can give you a sense of the contractor's work quality and customer service.

4.Budget and schedule: Establishing a clear budget and timeline is important. The contractor should be able to provide a detailed estimate and schedule for the project. Be sure to get it in writing and ask about contingency plans.

5.Communication and responsiveness: Look for a contractor who is responsive and easy to communicate with. You will be working with them for several weeks or months, it is important that you are comfortable communicating with them and that they are responsive to your needs.

Number 5 is key! 

Thanks for the response!

Great advice up above me. I will check out pictures and judge them based on what they tell me in the walk through as I dont know much of anything about contractor work. 

For me it has been trial and error, I gave a new contractor ( to me ) a shot recently and I checked on them periodically and the progress was not great and I could tell somethings looked off, so I went back to the first contractor I used and he did a great job for a great price. 

If you check in with them and they arent making progress or are not communicating with you then I would just get rid of them as soon as possible.  But as far as interviewing - I would want to know what jobs they are comfortable doing, if they can pull permits, what their pricing looks like, and estimated time to complete the job. 

• the contractor's qualifications and experience in the type of work you need done
• the contractor's licensing and insurance status
• the contractor's references and reputation
• the contractor's availability and schedule
• the contractor's estimated cost and payment terms for the work
• how well the contractor's communication and customer service skills
• how well you personally connect with the contractor as this will be important for the duration of the project. It is essential that you find a contractor who is trustworthy, reliable, and able to complete the job to your satisfaction.

Hope this help John!

Check their reputation, quality of work, pricing (asking for an itemized list of all expenses), someone who is proactive (If there is an issue, they outline a few different alternatives).

I also make sure they have worked with investors before so they have an idea of what I am trying to go for.

These are just a few things to keep in mind.

Some contractors are great but some aren't the best so make sure to chat and vet them before deciding which one to go with.

@John Guerrero  Welcome to BP!!  This is a GREAT resource for learning how to be a successful investor.  I have been a Texas lender for 26 years.  Feel free to contact me any time when you have questions about the lending side of the business.