Contractor Help
I am looking for rehab contractors in Chicago for single family homes and possibly small apartment buildings. Does anyone have any names they can pass along?
Any thoughts on how to properly "interview" potential contractors before offering them an opportunity to bid?
The list is almost too long, but let me just throw out some suggestions.
1. Size: does the contractor have the capacity (manpower, equipment, cash) to handle your size job
2. Time: what's contractor's schedule like? How long does he take to finish projects of your size?
3. Performance: you'll want to check this closely by visiting his jobsite. Be sure to talk to his current client, and the one before that, and the one before that, etc. Don't just take a contractor's list of 3 references. These are all cherry-picked. I don't even bother with em. If you really want to snoop him out there are some tricks for doing it.
4. Compatibility: how well do you "clilck" with this person? You will be working closely for a while. Is this contractor sufficiently client-oriented?
Note: some contractors will try to accomplish most anthing their client wishes to achieve in their rehabs. Others will try to get to you do it their way. Some contractors feel they have certain "rights" to your property since they have a contract. Others understand it's a priviliege which you may take away.
5. Superintendence: who will actually be running the work? Find out about this key person. He, more than anyone, most determines what you are going to get, including quality and time. How long has this person been with the company? Which jobs has he done? etc.
6. For rehab work it might be interesting to ask the make-up of each contractor's crews. Do they carry a payroll (a good sign, since the contractor has infinte control over the daily workings of his crew), or do they mostly sub (not so good a sign since this is a variable pool of self-interested independents who may or may not perform so well, and are in a hurry to leave your project).
There's more. But this is a good start. Most of this info you can get just by chatting and trying to learn about each contractor. Be interested in what the contractor's focus is and how he operates. Is his focus excellence, or is it speed? You may in fact, not want to purchase too much excellence for investment property. Can your contractor speed and acceptable quality for a good price?
For more indepth info, check my profile for how to successfully hire and manage a contractor.
Hi,
Have a few skilled craftsman that work in the burbs & city. Will PM you w/details
and info. Have been happy repeated XX
Mark :-D
YOur best plan is to go the local real estate club meeting and ask...
[addsig]