How to find a general contractor in Vancouver: Questions to ask
It can be HARD to find a trusted general contractor in Vancouver if you don’t know where to look. Choosing a general contractor is arguably the most important decision of your whole renovation as they are the ones keeping your project on time, on budget, and to code. With that in mind, here are questions you should be asking each prospective general contractor before making a decision.
1. Do you have any certifications or licenses?
Depending on the scope of the project, your general contractor might not need any specific licenses. Even if this is the case, always ask about sub-trades like electrical and HVAC to ensure you are working with certified professionals from the start.
2. Do you have contractor liability insurance?
Something that you hope you won’t need but is super important to have is of course insurance. All General contractors in Vancouver are required to have liability insurance.
3. How long have you been in business?
How long have they been operating for? Have they operated in your local area? What types of projects do they typically do? These are all important questions to ask your general contractor to make sure you choose someone with experience and a proven track record who knows the local regulations and code of your area. Construction companies like Level One Construction have been servicing the lower mainland for over 20 years.
4. How much does the renovation cost and how long will it take?
ALWAYS get a quote on both the spend but also the timeline. It’s never a bad idea to ask about milestones or other ways to see whether the project is on-time/on-budget or not. Be sure to understand under what circumstances could make the price go up or take longer than expected.
5. Will there be a written contract?
Another thing you hope you don’t need but need to have is a contract. While handshake deals are great, if things go south, always good to make sure you are covered. This will likely outline the renovation scope, timeline, and payment terms.
6. Do you have warranties on work completed?
Home renovations have a lot of moving parts so it’s important to make sure you’re set up for success. Renovation warranties are especially important for less established general contractors. It’s helpful to know that in the case a job was done incorrectly, you won’t have to pay to re-do it again.
While you should be asking all these questions, don’t skip your preliminary research of reading reviews from multiple sites and sources as well as looking at their past projects.