When choosing your general contractor, you need to assess if this is a person you want to work with. You need to form a working relationship with your contractor, and being able to trust them is a must. Talk to each person you are considering and ask yourself if you like them? Are they friendly, and does their experience lend itself to being a reliable and trustworthy contractor who exhibits exemplary customer service? Most of this you can find out simply in how they interact with you.

Pay attention to how they address you and discuss the work with you. Are they talking in a language you can understand, or are they trying to confuse you with jargon? Do they seem knowledgeable about the work you require, and are they actively measuring up and making notes during your discussion? Pay attention to how they talk about those they work with and get a feel for the type of relationships they hold within the industry regarding suppliers and subcontractors. Do they keep it formal or cross the line into being too friendly, making you wary of them?

A good contractor should reflect their ability to do their job well and to a high standard when answering this question. They might be the most excellent contractor you have met but if their level of workmanship falls below the expected quality, ask yourself if this is what you want as your end result.

When it comes to their physical location, you ideally want a general contractor to be located closer to you. This removes the element of delays in arriving at the worksite due to undue traffic or their workforce leaving early to make the long journey home. At times it cannot be avoided but to choose someone out of your local area. But when selecting a general contractor in Boston, starting with those in your local area is a great place to start.

Also, inquire about where their suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors are based. If they don’t handle all aspects of the work, they are quoting in-house, who they use, and where they are based. The last thing you want is to find a subcontractor who has to travel from out of state and can be subject to delays due to a commute.

Prices amongst general contractors in Boston can vary, and it isn’t always the case that the most expensive will produce the best results and vice versa. In fact, it is in your best interest to get a range of quotes and assess what is included in the quotes before making your decision.

The price quoted will relate to the materials and products they will use and the overall finish of the job. Ask for a breakdown of the quote they give you to see how they have come to that figure. Bear in mind they do need to make money, but knowing what you are being charged for and what level of work to expect can be enlightening at this stage.

On average general contractors in Boston will charge from $35 to $85 per hour, but the industry average seems to be approximately $50 per hour based on your geographical location and the type of work the project involves.

Let’s say you are looking at a bathroom remodel; prices can run from $2,500 to $22,00 depending on the project’s scope and work and materials involved. The average of this is around $9,500. This figure can be your starting point for quotes for bathroom remodels.

Getting more than three quotes will give you a better idea of prices and allow you to work out what is a fair price for the work you require.

An important point to raise is the experience and training of the contractor and those working with them. Asking for their registration and licence credentials will help you avoid unscrupulous contractors who aren’t operating according to national state guidelines. Genuine contractors will be happy to supply this information and their insurance details. Liability insurance is for general contractors and protects both you and them in the event of the work not going to plan. 

Make sure to ask about workers’ comp insurance to protect their employees. This is a state requirement in Massachusetts. As is holding builders insurance or “contractor insurance.” This is a state requirement to operate legally. Other types of insurance they might have include; general liability insurance, builders risk insurance, and contractors professional liability insurance.

Home Improvement Contractors in Massachusetts must have a Construction supervisor Licence (CSL). If you are undertaking any remedial work on properties, you need this license. To gain this, general contractors will be required to be registered with the state and prove their permits and qualifications along with appropriate insurance documentation.

Not all general contractors specialize in the same type of work. You must make sure they are a good fit for your planned project by asking them about previous similar work. Whether it be a large-scale kitchen renovation or a small bathroom remodel, make sure you have seen evidence of their previous work and are happy with the work they have done in the past and the standard they have finished it too.

A reliable contractor will be able to show you updates of projects at each stage, not just the finished product. They will also be more than happy for you to contact previous clients to check on the quality of the work post-completion, i.e., did they have to have minor repairs made, or were there any faults or damage that occurred during the work being carried out.

When work runs over schedule, it comes with it the risk of increasing costs and added frustration for all involved. Ask your general contractor how they will avoid the project running over time and budget and what they do to keep on track.

Of course, there are always unforeseen circumstances that can derail your project but knowing how these factors will be dealt with in advance or even asking for evidence of how they prevent delays and issues can be an indicator of their experience and knowledge when it comes to assessing and carrying out the work required.

Ask them what guarantees they will give you for completion and other factors such as obtaining the correct permits for the work being undertaken and the required delivery of tools and equipment. The more organized their work system is, the easier it will be to accommodate slight hiccups and setbacks during the process.

A timeline of when each part of the job is expected to take place can help you visualize the work and know what to expect each day. Ask for definite clean-up dates, final snag checks, and an ultimate completion date.

Just getting in touch with your contractor and discussing the specifics of your job can be challenging enough. With so many details to consider, it’s important to remember that you’ll have someone in or about your home for at least a couple of weeks during this process (and perhaps months). And your home is their place of business, during the work being carried out. As a result, don’t be afraid to inquire about what kind of worker they are and the schedule they run on.

Understanding and anticipating the routine of a contractor is critical to your satisfaction with the contractor. What time do they begin to work each day? Do they work on a single project until it is completed, or will they be working on several projects simultaneously? Another critical question to ask is what they do with leftovers or waste items after they’ve finished using them. Is it likely that you’ll have stacks of wood in your backyard till April?

You shouldn’t be afraid to ask the contractor ahead of time if you have a specific timeline in mind and inform them that you will be expecting regular progress reports. Once you have a timetable in place, follow the suggestions on the following page and put them in writing.

Take your time to look for the best general contractors in Boston by being thorough in your research and asking the appropriate questions before committing to a contract for the work you require.