Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Builder

Are you planning to start a new construction or renovation project recently? Well, screening and selecting the right building contractor in Cornwall plays a key role in ensuring success. Regardless of the type of your construction, an unprofessional builder can lead to hidden costs, unnecessary delays and even poor workmanship. Setbacks associated with construction can not only be costly but also pose a direct threat to life. There are a few common mistakes which homeowners commit when hiring builders. This blog will provide you with detailed information about them. A clear understanding will help you avoid these mistakes when your turn comes. 

Mistakes Which You Should Avoid 

Not Checking Credentials and Experience 

The first thing to ensure when looking for a building contractor is whether they are certified and insured. If they are not, you should never partner with them. Additionally, you should also ensure to check the experience of a particular professional in the specific field. Quite often, people tend to skip this step due to a lack of time. Hence, you should always spend enough time to find someone perfect for your job, rather than rushing out. Last but not least, any building contractor well-versed in local weather conditions can serve you better. 

Skipping the Reference Check 

Never trust or make a decision based on verbal commitments alone. Speaking to past clients of your would-be building contractor will give you a transparent idea about their business practices. Anyone trying to hide should always be considered a red flag, as reputable contractors should have no problem letting you speak with their past clients. Ask those references about their communication, timeliness, charges, and the quality of their work. Additionally, you can also seek suggestions from your loved ones.   

Choosing Based on Price Alone 

This is the most common and dangerous mistake people commit when appointing a building contractor. Everyone in this world wants to save money, regardless of their financial conditions. However, that doesn’t mean you will appoint someone who compromises the quality of work solely for the sake of affordability. Extremely low quotations can often be attributed to inexperience in the field and the use of sub-standard products. Seek price quotations from multiple professionals to compare the prices. Always focus more on value than price.      

Lack of Written Contract 

Once you have inspected every other aspect, ensure that you have a written contract before commencing actual work. Believing in verbal commitments from a building contractor is another common mistake that individuals make nationwide. Why should you avoid verbal commitments? It can always lead to disputes regarding the quality of work, overpayment and timelines. Never forget to obtain a written contract that includes all the job details and is signed by both parties. It should include start and end dates, materials to be used, payment schedules, and even warranty-related information. Any reputable building contractor will be happy to walk you through this process. 

Hire Smart, Build Better 

Careful planning and due diligence on your part should be sufficient to navigate this process successfully. Avoiding the common mistakes mentioned above will help you reduce stress, save time, and experience better outcomes. So are you hunting for the perfect Building Contractor in Cornwall for your job? You will hardly find a better option than CJR Lewis Construction across the city. We are not only vastly experienced and fully certified builders, but also offer highly competitive rates in line with the market. Stay assured of receiving written contracts with clearly mentioned timelines when working with us.