What to Know About: General Contractors »
Whether your home needs a complete renovation, or a room needs to be repaired, there are some things to know before you hire.
YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business's suitability for you. “Preferred” listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page.
Remodel Your Kitchen or Bathroom
Speak with a contractor now
PREFERRED
Serving the Greeley Area.
From Business: North American Dismantling is a leading nationwide demolition contractor specializing in heavy industrial demolition, commercial building strip outs, specialty bu…
I originally went with your Co. in order to follow Michael Greer when he changed companies. All of my work with Michael and Advanced Roofing has be…
2330 4th AveGreeley, CO 80631
From Business: As the name implies, Growling Bear is a fierce competitor in the commercial construction arena. We are minority-owned, by native Coloradoans, and have operated su…
Bought my first Journey Homes house in 2008, and had nothing but problems with them. Only after I got the VA involved, did they fix the most pressin…
23700 County Road 58Greeley, CO 80631
From Business: We are a locally owned and operated business. Providing welding services for residential and commercial. We have over 30 years experience, insured and provide ser…
149 E 30th StGreeley, CO 80631
From Business: GUS Roofing has over 20 years of full service roofing experience. We are a premier roofing company. We are licensed and insured. We provide great customer service…
Greeley, CO 80634
From Business: Welcome to Affordablefalls Shon Amundsen Construction A unique alternative to real stone and block construction. We use a cutting edge process of creating durable…
Serving the Greeley Area.
From Business: We are a Colorado based contractor who specializes on working with the Northern Colorado Metro Area. We have no job that is too big or too small, from completely …
Very disappointed in their customer service and overall experience with this company. We had all 3 roofs done on our property due to hail damage. Th…
3650 35th Ave Unit 2Evans, CO 80620
From Business: We are the ICC licensed general contractor in Northern Colorado for all your residential, commercial, industrial and agriculture needs for new builds and remodels…
5204 W 25th Street RdGreeley, CO 80634
From Business: Experience and quality you can count on at an affordable price!Frank Construction has been serving Northern Colorado.for over 15 years. We are dedicated to provid…
Greeley, CO 80631
From Business: With a general contractor by your side, working through a large project can be a breeze. Here in Northern Colorado, you can let T Rod Construction tackle everythi…
2108 35th Ave Ste DGreeley, CO 80631
From Business: When you undertake a home improvement project, there are dozens of decisions to be made. The most important decision, however, is the first one: Choosing the righ…
6050 W 10th StGreeley, CO 80634
From Business: Sorensen's Mile High General Contracting Group Inc specializes in roof replacement, roof repair & maintenance, commercial roofing, gutters & downspouts, siding, s…
3220 47th AveGreeley, CO 80634
From Business: Welcome to Sanchez Bros Custom Exteriors Inc., we are your full service exterior remodeling contractor. We are Family Owned & Operated in Northern Colorado since …
25530 County Road 62 1/2Greeley, CO 80631
From Business: Colorado's Leading Paving Contractor For 15 Years.Schneider's Paving is a family owned and operated business serving Eaton and Northern Colorado for more than 15 …
3005 W 29th St Ste CGreeley, CO 80631
1246 51st Avenue CtGreeley, CO 80634
2431 5th Ave Ste B1Greeley, CO 80631
813 E 18th StGreeley, CO 80631
27266 County Road 49 1/2Greeley, CO 80631
Po Box 336160Greeley, CO 80633
1616 2nd AveGreeley, CO 80631
809 E 20th Street RdGreeley, CO 80631
1824 80th AveGreeley, CO 80634
25 Oak AveEaton, CO 80615
80 Factory RdEaton, CO 80615
1504 Waterfront DrWindsor, CO 80550
7380 Greendale RdWindsor, CO 80550
Whether your home needs a complete renovation, or a room needs to be repaired, there are some things to know before you hire.
There has perhaps never been a better tool for do-it-yourself home handymen than the internet. With detailed instructions and videos explaining how to perform a number of common maintenance and renovation tasks around a house, an untrained homeowner might be surprised at how much he or she can accomplish with a quick search online. But even with all of this information, there are still many jobs that lie far outside the scope of most DIY enthusiasts. General contractors are there to fill in this gap.
A general contractor specializes in seeing a home remodel or repair project through from start to finish. To do this, the contractor works with the client - whether they are a homeowner or business - to nail down the scope of the work. Then he or she will turn to one or more subcontractors for specific tasks, like equipment operation, design, electrical work or whatever else is needed.
In essence, general contractors could be thought of as middlemen between a homeowner or business owner and any number of specialists. To get their money's worth, many assume they should just "cut out the middleman" and hire specialists directly, but this often proves more difficult in practice. General contractors won't be completing an entire project by themselves, but should have a long list of dependable experts who can work together and accomplish any task. They might also serve as the manager on the site of a construction project, overseeing workers and providing guidance and assistance when needed. For larger projects, though, the contractor might only handle administrative matters and employ a foreman or other professional for on-site supervision.
There are many general contractors who also specialize in certain tasks themselves. There is usually at least one general contractor on hand to organize the construction of an entire home, for example. But general contractors could also help a homeowner add an additional bedroom, build an in-ground pool or complete a major landscaping project. They could also work with a business to add or improve office space, whether that means making more room or converting a commercial building from a nail salon to a restaurant. Basically, if it's a job that involves building or repairing, a general contractor probably knows how to get it done.
No matter what the exact job may be, a contractor will probably need to accomplish several other essential tasks in pursuit of the ultimate goal, which may include:
Every general contractor performing any kind of work on a project must be licensed to do so in their state. The guidelines for the specifics on licensing vary from state to state. Some states might only require registration of contractors, which is different from licensing. Registration typically means that there must be a written record of what work is being performed and by whom, but it does not guarantee professional knowledge. Licensing, on the other hand, involves an examination process to assess professional competence.
Whether your state requires licensing or registration of contractors, there should be a record of most professionals willing to complete certain projects in your area. Check your state or county website for more information. In states that require licensing, every licensed contractor's contact information is available online or from another public source.
Not every project needs to be completed by a licensed or registered contractor. If it's just a minor job that won't take more than a day or two, and will cost less than a few hundred dollars, it's likely not necessary to find a licensed or registered contractor. However, anything bigger or more expensive, or a project involving plumbing or electrical work, needs to be completed by a licensed or registered professional.
General contractors also must be covered by an insurance policy. This should include liability coverage for any property damage that could be inflicted in the course of a job. It should also include a worker's compensation policy in case anyone is injured on the job. Before hiring a contractor for anything, ask for written proof of this insurance to see exactly what is covered.
A number of trade associations for contractors in the U.S. exist. Some of the biggest include:
Most trade associations for general contractors will provide references for anyone looking to hire a contractor for a specific project. They may also provide a number of benefits for their members, including assistance with licensing, training, insurance and business development.
No matter what you need accomplished, you want to choose a contractor who can get the job done right at a reasonable price. Obviously, this is easier said than done, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure you find a trustworthy general contractor.
The first, and perhaps most reliable, way to find a general contractor is to ask friends and family members for a recommendation. If you know anyone who has had major work done on their home, particularly if it's a similar job, ask them who they hired and if they were pleased with the result. You could also ask neighbors about who they've hired if you notice work being done on their house. Many remodeling contractors post signs in front of homes to advertise their services. As a general rule, it's rarely a good idea to hire a contractor who solicits work by going door to door.
If you are considering hiring a contractor without a personal recommendation, ask the contractor for references from past clients, and do as much background research on them as possible. Look for any complaints (or compliments) online to get a better idea of their track record. There are a number of websites specializing in connecting contractors with people or businesses who need work done. These sites may also allow past clients to submit their own reviews of the contractor.
Before hiring a contractor, make sure you are both in agreement on the project's budget. It's normal for most contractors to charge clients a premium not only for the labor expenses and zoning expertise, but for acquiring the materials as well. Be as clear and concise as possible regarding what you'll be purchasing yourself and what you will be paying the contractor to complete. Homeowners may be able to find a better deal on raw materials when they purchase these directly, but they first need to be sure they aren't buying the wrong things.
Don't forget to discuss how the project will be finalized and what will be done about cleanup. Plans for how the work site will be cleaned at the end of each day as well as at the conclusion of work need to be put in writing. An experienced general contractor should make every effort to keep the workspace clean and prevent dirtying or damaging any other area. Even so, talk with the contractor about the daily schedule, the logistics of transporting workers and equipment, and how cleanup will be handled.
As previously mentioned, you need to make sure to follow any state and local regulations regarding construction work, which includes hiring a licensed or registered general contractor. Ask the contractor for proof of their certification before signing anything, as well as their proof of insurance. You should also check your homeowners insurance policy to see if they offer coverage for contracted work. You may want to call your insurance provider and ask for more details on what your plan will and won't cover.
Perhaps the best way to feel safe about a contractor and the work being done is to hire a contractor you trust. This is why relying on personal references from friends and family is so important, and will often provide a great deal of peace of mind. If you aren't able to obtain a reference, work to conduct extensive research on the contractor as well as the work you are hiring them to perform. This should bring everyone's expectations into alignment and result in a safe work environment.
Before any money changes hands, there should be a contract to sign. Make sure the specifics of the work to be done and all costs are listed in the contract, right down to the most precise details. If you forget to have something included in the contract after signing it, there's rarely a chance of recourse.
Once the specifics of the job are nailed down, be sure to discuss the payment schedule with the contractor. This is important because paying too much up front offers the homeowner minimal leverage if the quality of work does not meet expectations or contractual specifications. Try to establish a reasonable pay schedule with the contractor, such as paying 10 percent of the total cost for each 10 percent of the work that is completed. It's a good idea to include this payment plan in the contract as well.
Finally, look into getting a lien release signed before work begins. If there is ever a dispute regarding payment over the course of the project, a contractor or subcontractor could place a payment claim, or lien, on your property. This can trigger a long legal process that may be frustrating. To avoid this, ask the contractor to sign a lien release, which is a legal agreement that states that any payment accepted is final. This can come in handy if a contractor has his or her own payment issues with their subcontractors. Signing a lien release form certifies that any payment made by a client to the contractor is enough to pay for any goods or services rendered. A lien dispute could also be prevented by performing due diligence prior to picking a contractor, as any contractor with good credit and a long track record of satisfied clients should have no trouble paying for materials and labor once all contract conditions have been met.
Once work is underway, it's never a bad idea to check up on the progress of the job, either by staying in touch with the contractor over the phone or visiting the site in person. If you work with a trustworthy professional, it's probably best to keep your distance and allow everyone to stay busy. If you want to keep an eye on things, make sure workers wear the right safety gear and that everything looks to be moving along according to schedule. Finally, once work is finished and you are satisfied, be sure to thank your contractor and tell friends or family members about your experience.