Being the General Contractor - Part 1 of 2

From time to time, I meet clients that wish to use their own resources for parts of a project I'll be doing for them. Sometimes, the client wants to provide their own materials to avoid paying a small mark-up. Other times, a client will want to bring in a particular individual or company to do a specific job within the project. For example, they know a glass guy that did their mother's friend's uncle's sister-in-law's shower enclosure, and they heard he was the best and cheapest in town. Or, maybe their co-worker's bff's boyfriend's parents had granite counter tops done in the kitchen, and they think they can save a few bucks by bringing them in. You get the idea.

Many contractors out there will not allow this. And, there is good reason for a contractor to have objections to these types of requests. I've known contractors that will walk away from a project, rather than deal with a client's subcontractors and / or material suppliers, and I don't blame them. It can make a project more difficult than it should be. And, although I will do my best to accommodate my client's requests, here's a few good reasons why the client should allow the general contractor to be in charge and do his or her job.

Avoid The Risk

A significant portion of my business focuses on minor "handyman" repairs. Sometimes, it's a few pictures hung or a shelf put up in a closet. Other times, it's replacing a window treatment or putting up a safety grab bar in a shower. Often times, a client will gather a list of items over a period of time and call me to come in and take care of it all at once.

A common misconception amongst prospective clients is that they don't need to hire a properly licensed and insured individual to handle minor repairs. They figure they'll save a few bucks by not hiring a licensed professional. After all, what could possibly go wrong by having Handyman Joe put up some curtain rods around the house? He doesn't need a license and insurance for that, right? Well........

The fact is, homeowners that hire unlicensed people to work on their property are putting themselves at serious risk. Here's a couple reasons why you should not take the risk of hiring an unlicensed individual to work in your home.

The RIGHT Contractor

So, you've been dreaming of remodeling your bathroom for some time now. You feel your bathroom is dated and uninspiring. Maybe it's original to the house, and it has that wonderful 1982 wallpaper. As you flip through the channels, you inevitably find yourself watching HGTV, wondering how they make the renovation process look so simple.

Well, remodeling a bathroom doesn't have to be complicated. I honestly believe a good contractor is the most important piece of the renovation puzzle. The right contractor will use his or her knowledge and experience to make the process as quick and easy for you as possible. But, how do you find the right contractor for your project?

Here's a few tips to help guide you to the right contractor...