Homeownership comes with a lot of responsibility and a variety of unique tasks. One of the most important and vital aspects of maintaining your home is choosing the correct general contractor to help you with everything related to home improvements.

A general contractor, main contractor or also known as a prime contractor is responsible for coordinating and supervising a variety of projects, such as building public, residential, commercial, and industrial structures.

General contractors work closely with other building specialists, such as architects, civil engineers, and trades workers, including stonemasons, electricians, and carpenters. Depending on the project, construction managers may even interact with lawyers or government officials.

Therefore, when selecting a general contractor to manage your next home improvement project, it is necessary to properly vet them before they are hired.

How do you look for a general contractor?

 First, start off by looking up your local homebuilders’ association to see what potential contractors are available. You may also reach out to your family, close friends, coworkers, or other members of your community for referrals. Once you pick out a list of potential contractors, you must get multiple estimates or quotes to ensure the most affordable option.

Next, it is important to look for a general contractor with experience in areas related to your home improvement project. Therefore, it is essential to ask the following questions:

• How long has your company been in business?
• What experience do you have with this type of project?
• Do you have a list of references?
• What is the cost estimate?
• What is the timeline for this project?
• Are you insured?

Once you have selected a contractor, you must also ask for proper licensing and certification documentation.

How can you properly vet a general contractor?

 In Illinois, a general contractor license at the state level is not necessary. Licenses are typically regulated at the city or county level, and those requirements often vary. Thus, it would be wise to check with your county or city to see what local requirements general contractors must meet in order to certify that your home improvement project will be completed. To properly vet a general contractor, the following questions must be issued:

• Do you have the required permits to complete this home improvement project?
• Do you have general and personal liability insurance?
• Do you have worker’s compensation insurance?
• Do you have property damage insurance?
• Can you provide a written warranty for the work you will do, the materials you will use, and for the employees that work for you?
• Can you provide a detailed quote outlining all materials that will be used and labor that is expected to be done?
• If necessary, can you provide a lien waiver to ensure that you are paying any subcontractors or suppliers you are working with?

Regarding proof of insurance, you may ask the contractor for a certificate of insurance (COI), which should provide the name of the insurance company, policy number and policy limits the contractor carries. You may also contact the insurance company directly to verify the coverage and make sure the policy is still in effect. Be wary that if a contractor is not insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.

 Lastly, check-in with your state attorney general’s office and the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against the general contractor. If they do have any complaints, a safer option would be to look for a different general contractor. You can also look up the general contractor’s public company reviews on social networks or other review sites.

What else should be completed after choosing a general contractor?

 Once, you choose a general contractor, both parties must agree on a detailed contract specifying the costs, work to be done, time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules, building permits, and other expectations.

Ideally, the contractor you hire should have the experience, expertise, and all the necessary permits and licenses to complete your home improvement project.

If you need any assistance vetting a contractor before you hire them, let the experienced attorneys at Johnston Tomei Lenczycki & Goldberg LLC help you with any concerns you may have. Call us today at (847) 549-0600 or email us at info@lawjtlg.com to schedule a free consultation.