FAQ
On this page I'm including some basic information on how a construction project works and why you might want to hire a general contractor.
What is a general contractor?
It's a person who is licensed by the state to build or modify buildings. This could be your home or a commercial building you might have your business in. A general contractor will hire all the necessary tradesman to get your project done. He will ensure that they produce a quality product and do so in a timely manner. He will also make sure that any necessary permits are obtained and that the city checks out and is okay with the work that has been done.
What does a construction project involve?
A construction project generally involves many professionals and phases of work. On a large project such as remodeling or building an entire home or even just a large high-end kitchen or addition, some of the professionals involved can be an architect, interior designer, general contractor, sub-contractors for each trade (electrical, plumbing, etc.) and building inspectors. Large projects will also be done in phases such as: demolition, concrete work, framing, roofing, plumbing, electrical, drywall work, interior finishes, etc. If this sounds like the project you are considering embarking on, I recommend hiring an architect as the first step to getting your project going or contacting me and I can help you decide what the best coarse of action is.
For a smaller project you may want to do much of the design yourself, maybe with the help of your general contractor, who can then get some plans drawn up and approved by the city. At that point he can hire sub-contractors to get the various parts of the project done and/or he can do some or all of the work himself depending on his personal ability, the scope of the job and what he is legally allowed to do.
I personally have done most trades that go into building a home, so on some smaller projects I just do them all myself. That allows me to ensure a quality product. I still however sub-contract any work that would be faster and better done by another contractor, which ultimately makes for an all around happier client.
Why hire a licensed contractor when I could do it cheaper myself or with hired non-licensed help? Many home or business owners figure they will save money by just doing the work themselves or hiring a day laborer from the corner of the local Home Depot or even to use their trusty handyman to remodel their kitchen or bathroom. This I do not advise unless you are absolutely certain of your skill, and theirs, in doing so. There are many reasons for this. The state issues licenses to people after testing them to make sure they know what they are doing both as a businessperson and as a tradesman. It takes a lot of knowledge and skill to correctly build a building. There are also a lot of protections for a consumer when hiring a licensed contractor which you would not have in hiring a non-licensed person to perform the same work. The number one reason I would give for hiring a licensed contractor is safety. You don't want your house falling down or even just mold unnecessarily growing in your walls just to save a few dollars. I hope that gives you a basic idea of when and what you should hire a general contractor for.
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Who should I hire?
WHO you want to hire is the next thing to address. There are several things to consider. Is this person trust worthy? Will they do a good job? Will I get a fair price? These are some of the questions you should get answered before choosing the contractor you will hire for your project.
Should you hire me?
I don't usually have a problem proving my ability to produce an honest and quality product, as most of the business I do is for people whom I have been recommended to or have done work for in the past. However, for someone who is just looking around and stumbled upon my page or got my business card from a friend or associate, I would recommend this: First of all look at the pictures I have provided on this site. If the work seems to be of a quality that suits your needs that's a good start. Second check out my license with the CA Contractors State License Board (the number is at the top of each page of this site) and make sure there are no complaints against it. Next you may ask for a few references such as clients or other respectable contractors who can vouch for my work and professionalism as a businessman. If those things seem to fit with what you are looking for give me a call and talk to me or set up a time to meet me and get a feel for what you think of me yourself. If you don't like me or get a bad vibe you can always say you will be in touch and look for someone that you feel comfortable with. I also recommend checking out several contractors so that you have something to compare each one with. The lowest price, by the way, is not always the best one to go with. You should compare all of the qualities of each and figure out who is most likely to suit your needs best. You can also always discuss ways to save money with the contractor you chose. Remember that you are going to have to live with the work done on your property, good or bad.
Summary:
If you wish to contact me there is a phone number for me on the top of this page or there is a contact page that will allow you to email me. I hope this page has been helpful and most of all informative. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me with them.
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