How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Project?

Contractors are generally responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing all aspects of a construction project, from initial design to completion. Choosing the right contractor is crucial to ensure the project’s success. While being the “right” contractor encompasses a broad range of skills in the construction industry, choosing the “right” contractor is a key step for the homeowner to kick off every project. The following steps will help guide homeowners in selecting the best contractor to trust their project with:

1. Define the objectives and needs of the project.

It is crucial to define the project's objectives and needs to decide what functions the contractor will undertake. When you outline your objectives, it will be easier to navigate each detailed task to align with your vision. The needs may vary depending on the project location. Generally, homeowners must clearly define these key points to establish project goals and desired outcomes. 

1. Scope

Defining the project's scope will highlight what needs to be done and what the contractor is expected to do. A clearly defined scope helps both the homeowner and contractor break down each deliverable and set realistic expectations.

2. Budget

Setting a budget for your project is required for you to allocate resources and prepare for possible financial constraints. This will help you plan and monitor your project’s spending. Your budget must align with your expectations before moving forward.

3. Timeline

Estimating the project's completion time will help you make informed decisions about choosing the most efficient contractor. A target timeline significantly aids in streamlining workflows to achieve key milestones and optimize resources.

2. Create a list of potential contractors.

Create a list of prospective contractors from referrals, online searches, and industry associations. Research as much information as possible, such as business reviews, ratings, history, and company information from their company profiles and common acquaintances. The success or failure of their past projects and the number of repeat customers speak volumes of the contractor’s potential. Reduce the list of contractors to a shortlist by identifying the standard qualities of potential contractors. Here are the top “E” qualities you should look out for:

1. Effective Communication

Choose a contractor who communicates effectively with homeowners, subcontractors, and other stakeholders. The right contractor is responsive, attentive to your needs, and provides regular updates for everyone involved to keep track of the project and make informed decisions timely. All construction is carefully coordinated to homeowners for minimal disruption, especially when they choose to live in their residences throughout the project.

Fig 1. A testimonial from a homeowner of a newly purchased Belle Meade home renovated by Crane Builders resulting to a beautiful sunroom with a view of the city’s most heralded gardens

Fig 2. A testimonial from a homeowner with a beautifully renovated home in Forest Hill by Crane Builders with an expanded kitchen and reconfigured first floor while strategically keeping the second floor above safe and undisturbed

2. Extensive Connections

Each homeowner has visions for their home improvements that take more than just one person to navigate its way to reality. Hiring a contractor expands the homeowner's access to talented and skillful individuals to hire for their advantage. Contractors can bring a strong and vast network of specialized professionals, designers, subcontractors, and suppliers to the project, reducing homeowners' additional time and costs in hiring unverified individuals or companies for every scope. Having extensive and reliable connections, such as architects, designers, and suppliers, helps homeowners get exclusive discounts on material purchases and availed services. A closely coordinated team of readily established and vetted individuals ensures that all design elements and materials are precisely defined and streamlined to achieve a timelessly beautiful home with less hassle and more peace of mind.

Fig. 3. A Green Hills spec with custom touches of an architect and an interior designer partnered with Crane Builders to achieve a personalized living space with enhanced functionality and aesthetics

3. Expert Skills and Management

Expert contractors are expected to develop and maintain realistic project schedules, ensuring timely completion of tasks and milestones. They are expected to manage the project site with up-to-date industry knowledge, understand all relevant codes, and follow local regulations to prevent any violations and penalties. While managing construction, contractors may encounter unexpected problems in design, timeline, or budget. However, an expert contractor will have contingencies to prepare for these unexpected events to ensure the construction process's continuity and success. It takes an expert contractor to quickly identify and resolve unforeseen issues during the construction process so that the project stays on track within schedule and financial constraints.

Fig 4. A beautifully remodeled dream kitchen delivered as a result of a well-managed and efficient team of expert remodelers from Crane Builders

4. Ensured Quality, Safety and Security

The right contractor ensures quality measures are implemented and maintained, as every homeowner expects the final product to meet specified standards. The right contractor has a strong safety record and culture that ensures a safe working environment for all personnel on the project site, adhering to safety regulations and procedures set and agreed upon with the homeowner.The contractor should be licensed and insured for the work they will be doing to ensure legal compliance and security on the part of the homeowner who hired them. The contractor’s license and insurance protect all parties involved in the project.

Fig 5. After years of living in this Green Hills 1930s home, homeowner opted for several thoughtful additions and a complete interior remodel by Crane Builders, resulting to quality that blends with modern convenience

5. Experienced Workforce

One of the significant assets of every contractor is their set of skillful craftsmen. Their vast experiences offer numerous advantages to the contractor and the homeowner. They also mitigate the project’s risk for potential rework due to workmanship issues. Hiring an inexperienced contractor could cost you a lot of money and cause stress in the long run. As an established contractor, a talent pool of workforce with unique skill sets and expertise needed for a particular project is readily available to hire depending on project requirements and timeline. They have a pool of vetted workers for their years of experience and quality workmanship in the field. Experienced contractors who have worked on diverse projects also provide valuable market insights, promoting fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the homeowners.

3. Gather multiple bids or quotations.

To ensure an effective comparison of bids, bid contractors must refer to the same detailed plan and material specifications. Included in their bid or quotation should be their proposed:

1. Scope of Work

2. Materials

3. Estimated Project Duration

4. Fixed or Unit Price

5. Contractor’s Qualification

Get at least three (3) quotes to better understand what to expect on a fair average. This will help you negotiate the best value for your project. Bidding creates healthy competition among potential contractors, which could result in better pricing. It will also help you determine the contractors who will be the best overall fit to meet your project's needs.

4. Take your pick.

Weigh your options for the best bid by comparing their bid or quoted estimates. Carefully review each bid and its price breakdown. Choose the best bidder that meets your needs and budget, considering its pricing and the contractor's qualifications and experience. Analyze the pros and cons of choosing the contractor. If you have already decided who to pick, verify their license and insurance. According to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, a contractor's license is required before contracting (bidding or negotiating a price) whenever the project costs $25,000 or more. The contractor must be properly insured and bonded to ensure adequate coverage for the project in case any issue arises that can be expensive to fix.

5. Sign a contract.

Discuss the terms and conditions of the contract with your chosen contractor before signing the contract to ensure that both parties are aligned. In writing your contract agreement, make sure to specify the following:

1. Detailed description of the scope of work

2. Price for the scope of work

3. Payment schedule

4. Project start and finish dates

5. Penalties (optional)

6. Warranty

7. Signatures

Signing a contract provides a legally binding framework to protect all parties involved and ensure a successful project outcome.

From a long list of contractors, choosing the right contractor to trust can be unpredictable and overwhelming. When you spot Crane Builders from the list, choosing gets easier. Crane Builders is a trusted name in home improvements and large remodels in Tennessee, offering valuable services in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and Belle Meade. With its hands-on approach and thoughtful process, homeowners feel valued due to their personalized attention to the project details and clear communication from start to finish. Crane Builders has been a great trade partner of Modern Handymen & Remodel in the construction industry, fostering a strong team dynamic and a family environment for all. For 2 generations, their quality of work has been supported by a highly vetted team of true craftsmen. Schedule a consultation to see their work quality for yourself. Give them a call at 615-383-0300 and start your home's transformation today.