Hiring a Contractor in Cedar City
The General Contractors in Cedar City rely on the subcontractors for many of the tasks involved in building these homes. To find a General or Subcontractor in the Cedar City are, check the Iron County Homebuilders Association Directory. All of these professionals are Licensed and Insured
Some people spend more time doing research to choose a television than they do to choose a contractor!
In the small town of Cedar City, like many Southern Utah towns, most contractor’s work comes from referrals. Satisfied customers are always happy to give out the names of good contractors!
Southern Utah is also a desirable place to retire or build a second home, so we often get calls from people who have no local connections and no way to find a reputable contractor. Many of the people we meet are from the “big city” and have often been let down by unscrupulous contractors in the past. They are often surprised by the small town honesty and friendliness they encounter in our area. But we still encourage all homeowners to follow some basic steps when hiring a contractor.
Referrals
Ask for referrals from family friends and neighbors. More than likely, you’ve been a guest at a home that’s been recently built or renovated by a professional contractor. If your first reaction to the work was favorable, be sure to ask the homeowner which contractor they used.
If you don’t have a referral from someone you know,the first place to visit is the Iron County Homebuilders Association, whether you are thinking of building a new home or need a qualified contractor for renovations on an existing home.
It’s generally a good idea to get an estimate for your project from 2-3 different contractors. You can set multiple appointments with prospective contractors for a particular day, or spread them out over the course of a few days in the same week. Generally, initial estimates are free.
Have a budget and scope of work before you meet with a contractor
Before you meet with a contractor, write down the details of the project you have in mind as well as a projected budget. Having that info when meeting a contractor can help both sides come to a reasonable scope of work.
Check them out!
Are they licensed with the State? Click here to the State Licensing Board to look up any contractor. Utah has one of the best Licensing Programs in the US. Contractors are required to attend Continuing Education. Utah also has a program that protects homeowners from mechanics liens when they use a Licensed Contractor.
Are they insured? They will have to show you a copy of their Liability Insurance.
Are the employees covered under Workers Compensation? If a worker is hurt on your property, you could be liable for medical bills!
What type of experience do they and/or their employees have? They should be able toshow you samples of their work.
While price is always a factor, having skilled workers and a reputable company that has been in business for a minimum of 2-3 years should be high ranking factors as well in your final selection.
Was your home built before 1978?
Homes built before 1978 may have Lead Paint, if so, your contractor must be EPA Certified. Click here for more info on Lead Paint.
When you meet a contractor
When you meet, both decision makers should be available. As you and the contractor are taking a look at your project, ask what type of protection they will use so areas of the home not being renovated will not be affected.
Ask for recommendations from the contractor for types of materials you can consider for your project. There are tremendous advances in energy efficiency, low VOC paints, and building trends. A good contractor will be able to advise you on techniques that will not only enhance, but make it work better.
The Contractor should provide you with a detailed, written scope of work outlining all the work proposed, a price and proof of qualifications. Some may also provide references from other customers, if not, don’t be afraid to ask! On larger projects, some contractors may prefer to complete the proposal at their home or office and present it to you later, in person, or by fax/email. Some projects are simple enough that a contractor can complete the proposal on the spot and may have a contract ready as well.
Making a decision on hiring a subcontractor
Gather your notes as well as the contractors’ estimates and compare experience, price, etc. It’s important to compare “apples to apples”, some contractors may use cheaper materials or skip important prep. If you feel you’re ready to make a final selection from the contractors you’ve interviewed, great! You’re ready to contact them to begin the project. If you’re still unsure, or don’t feel like you’ve found what you are looking for, you may want to consider calling another contractor for an additional estimate.
Good luck with your project!