When you are planning a major home project or renovation, there are many decisions to be made. While some of your parameters are likely constrained, such as your budget, there is a lot of leeway as to style, design and execution.
Unless you are planning a DIY project, you basically have two options when it comes to hiring professional help for your Sarasota home renovation. You can hire specialized contractors to handle each portion of the project – electrical, plumbing or woodwork, for instance. Alternately, you may choose to hire a general contractor to manage the total project for you. The question is, which is the right option for you?
It is first important to point out that no matter who you hire, insist on a licensed and insured professional.
Licensing ensures that your contractor has the necessary education, qualifications and experience to take on your job. While there are no guarantees, you can be confident that the contractor has taken the necessary steps to set up a legitimate and legal business operation.
A contractor with proper insurance is critical to your job. Ask for proof of insurance, both for the workers he brings onsite and any damage that may be done to your property during the renovation.
Specialized Contractors
Specialized contractors have a concentration in one discipline, such as plumbing, flooring or roofing. If you have a simple job involving one basic task, contractors of this type may be a great choice. They have extensive direct expertise in that one area, and you can negotiate a price directly with them.
A major downside of specialized contractors is revealed when you are renovating more than one area of the home, or even building an addition. Because you will have to hire multiple contractors to finish each stage of the job, there is a fair amount of work involved. You will need to find the best available contractor in each specialty, negotiate a price, schedule them accordingly, and manage their work timeline. Often, one contractor must wait until the prior stage of the project is complete before they can begin, so scheduling does become an issue. If one stage of the project is delayed, every other contractor’s schedule is pushed back. If you love project management and have experience in this area, specialized contractors may be the answer for you.
General Contractors
By contrast, general contractors project manage the entire renovation or build for you.
Once you hire a general contractor and outline the scope of the work, that company will get to work hiring the appropriate subcontractors (or scheduling their own employees). Your general contractor is responsible for all scheduling and billing, and takes full accountability for the entirety of the project.
For those not skilled in the construction industry, general contractors offer peace of mind and freedom from worry. Every aspect of the project, from permitting until the final inspection, falls under their purview. General contractors may cost a bit more (depending on your choice) but will completely remove the pressure of the project from your plate. They will provide a project manager who will stay in contact with you and keep you apprised of the progress and estimated time of completion.
When choosing a general contractor, once you establish their licensing, the next step is to seek out online peer reviews, browse past projects, and solicit bids. When bids seem to differ greatly in price, check to make sure that they are providing the same level of quality and service. Ask as many questions as you need to until you are comfortable.
Lindahl Construction has been building homes in Longboat Key and Sarasota for decades; but we also function as general contractors for all types of home renovations. Our experience and professionalism is our commitment to you. We look forward to working with you on your home construction project.