If you embark on a real estate project, having the right general contractor can make all the difference. A good general contractor will take the load off your shoulders and make your life easier. A bad general contractor, on the other hand, can add more stress and frustration. A general contractor oversees your real estate project and pulls everyone else and everything together to deliver the end result. How can you go about hiring the correct person? We will examine a few steps to be mindful of when selecting the right person.

1. Ask for referrals

Referrals are vital because if someone has worked on a project with a contractor before, you will be able to gather critical information. Was the contractor reliable? Did they honor their word? Were they able to deliver? If someone comes highly recommended and with a reputable reputation, your experience will likely be positive.

2. Look for finished work

There is a saying, “the proof is in the pudding.” It is essential to find a finished project that you can view. If you can see the quality is excellent and you are happy with the result, this is a good sign. Although you will not know exactly what happened behind the scenes to make it happen, if the result is good, this is another box you can tick off in your search for a good contractor.

3. Ask for their contact people

You want to find a contractor who already has relationships with other subcontractors. If not, this is a red flag. If a contractor takes on your project, they will be trying to build relationships from scratch and will likely not be sure of the quality of work that will be delivered. Having established and trusted relationships already in place is key to delivering a quality project.

4. Check their terms

If they ask for a large sum of cash up front, this is a red flag and could indicate that they are struggling financially. If there is financial pressure or strain, this could, at worst, result in them not completing your project. Their request for money upfront should be reasonable, and both parties should have a mutual understanding and agreement on the terms.

5. Interview more than one

When selecting a contractor to work with, don’t just interview and choose the first one. Interview multiple different candidates and get a general feel for them. If several of them tick all the right boxes, you can select the one you feel you connect best with. Also, pay attention to their listening and communication skills during the interview process.