Tips for getting a contractor, materials & what to avoid

Tips for getting a contractor,
materials & what to avoid
Written by R. Locsin

Before even canvassing for a contractor, you should know exactly what you want. This will not only help the contractor quote, but give you total control of your project.

1. What is your time-frame?

2. Make a list of specific things you want (Cut and paste pictures from magazines of things you want in your construction)

3. Set a maximum budget and a contingency fund (If you have set your maximum budget, you may declare this amount to the contractor less 30%, as your buffer or contingency fund should things go unplanned)

4. Make a rough sketch of your desired floor plan.

5. Without considering budget, what are the things you want?

6. Considering your budget, what are the things you could let go?

7. Pay a small fee to an Engineer, Architect or better yet a Project Manager to get his/her professional opinion on the contract your about to sign.

Be aware of contractors who:
1. Those who quote prices before seeing the job.

2. Knock on the door because they happen to be in your area doing some other work and can give you a "special price".

3. Demand more than 40% deposit "to buy materials". Reputable contractors maintain charge accounts with their suppliers and large deposit is not necessary.

4. Will not supply you with a detailed written contract specifying what they say and what they will do.

5. They don’t have a permanent address nor have stayed in a permanent office in the past year. Chances are, these are bogus contractors or worst, they’ve just changed their name and location to avoid previous project disasters.

6. The lowest price is not always the best price. Check works they have recently done in the past.

7. Contractors who gives you low rates but uses inferior materials.

Materials you should not scrimp on:
1. Tiles – Never buy cheap tiles. It may look nice but its luster will disappear in few months and cracks easily. You can never go wrong with branded tiles.

2. Steel gauge in your foundation. When strong earthquakes happen, your house can actually collapse.

3. Exterior paint – Be sure that your paint are all-weather when painting the exterior.

4. Wire gauge – Your investment could literary turn to ashes with sub-standard wires.

5. Water proofing compounds – Always get the brand your contractor recommends

6. Wall paper quality – If you cannot afford quality wall paper, settle with ordinary paint. You will only be peeling away your money within the next year.

7. Cement – In most third world countries, there are unscrupulous cement supplier that actually repacks cement mixed with clay. These produce brittle cement work that eventually chips off or caves in.

Look for warning signs such as (a) Cheap pricing, (b) delivered by a truck that has no company logo or signage that it came from a legitimate supplier and (c) observe curing time - Quality cement hardens quickly while adulterated ones take time.

Remember!
Check for at least three contractors to bid. Asking for referrals is a good way to decide. Lastly, never sign a contract on the first few meetings with the contractor, even though you’ve gained confidence with this contractor. Excitement to start your construction may get on the way of right- thinking.

You may reproduce this article with the following credits – R. Locsin, www,constructionphils.com