How to hire a contractor
You’ve been dreaming about finally starting that home reno or construction project forever, and you’re finally ready to pull the trigger and get started. There’s just one problem: How?
For most homeowners about to get started on a major home construction project, hiring a general contractor is their first big step. But figuring out who to hire can be tricky and even overwhelming.
After all, building or renovating your home is a huge investment and undertaking that can come with a lot of risk. Having a reputable and experienced general contractor to help you navigate the process, coordinate trades, and ensure the job gets done right is key to a successful project.
It’s a position that requires a lot of trust. And in this post, we’ll talk you through what to look for and consider as you go. There’s also a free checklist with the step by step process we recommend!
What role does a contractor play in a renovation or home build?
I’ve heard the analogy that the contractor is like the CEO of a construction project, but I disagree. As the homeowner, you’re the CEO. It’s your home and your investment, and ultimately it’s up to you to take ownership of your project.
That said, you’re not the expert — and that’s where a contractor comes in. Think of the contractor as your Number Two or General Manager responsible for handling the day-to-day operations and ensuring that your plans are executed right.
The general contractor’s job includes:
Managing the budget, including providing detailed cost breakdowns, handling payments to trades, and keeping you up to date around any potential changes or issues that will impact costs
Developing and managing the project’s timelines and coordinating people, materials, and deadlines to keep things running smoothly
Hiring, scheduling, and overseeing all of the trades (plumbers, electricians, etc.) working on your home
Making sure all work meets your local building codes and regulations, including pulling permits and coordinating inspections
Acting as your main point of contact — giving you regular updates and getting your signoff on decisions throughout the process
Ordering materials and managing deliveries
Day-to-day problem solving and issues management
Managing your site’s safety and security
Do I need to hire a contractor?
General contractors are a huge expense and for some projects, homeowners ask me whether they can take on the role themselves. Here’s my general advice:
For new builds: Yes. This is a highly complex project that requires a lot of expertise. Don’t undertake a project like this on your own.
For large-scale renovations (moving walls, changing the footprint): Yes. There’s a lot of complexity here and possibly permitting and inspection requirements as well.
For smaller projects or simple renovations: Maybe not. If you’re not touching the structure of the home, you may be able to get away with managing the project yourself. Read more about the different types of renovation here for details.
What to look for when hiring a contractor
Transparency and accountability
Get a clear sense of how they communicate and share information. Are they organized? Do they share frequent updates? Do they have a plan for how they’ll work with other members of the team so that everyone knows what’s going on?
Planning and budgeting
Be sure you understand exactly what the budget breakout process looks like. How often do they review and revise the budget? How flexible are they? How do they manage the planning process to ensure that budget and timelines stay on track?
Strong track record and reputation
Make sure they have solid referrals from past projects that are similar to the one you’re trying to take on. Take the time to interview past clients and ask them about the points we’ve raised here. You can also see if they’re members of any professional associations. This can be a sign of their engagement in their industry and commitment to professional development.
Cleanliness and organization
Try to get a sense of how clean and organized their job sites are. This will tell you a lot about their skill, standards, and expectations — for themselves and the trades they hire.
Questions to ask when hiring a contractor
Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions during this process! A good contractor will welcome your thoughtfulness and be happy to make sure you have everything you need to make a wise decision.
Here are a few questions to consider asking potential questions when you’re interviewing them:
Do you have a list of the decisions that need to be made? How involved will I need to be in those decisions?
How do you establish a budget for each area of the project? What are those numbers based on?
What mechanism do you have in your process for budget reviews? How do you handle change orders during the process?
Do you have a list of the trades or industry pros that you like to work with and when they need to be involved?
When you are physically not on site, how do you provide oversight to the job site and trades?
Other tips to keep in mind
Personal fit really matters. In addition to their expertise, look for a contractor that you can get along with. They should be approachable, accountable, good communicators, and demonstrate a healthy dose of common sense.
Your contractor will likely recommend other professionals to you as part of your project. This is very important and helpful, but do your due diligence. Follow the advice in the rest of this guide as you meet with the professionals your contractor recommends, and hire only people you are comfortable with and confident in.
Don't rush the hiring process. Make sure you’ve done your own research and have a clear plan for the project before you hire anyone. Take the time to do multiple interviews, check references thoroughly, and really understand how each contractor works. You’ll be glad you did.
If you can, consider visiting one or two of the contractor’s current job sites to observe their organization and ask for candid feedback from trades working under them.
Are they busy? That’s a good sign. But it might mean you need to be prepared to wait, so plan ahead.
Key takeaways
A general contractor is one of your most important hires in a home renovation or new build project. They’re responsible for all of the day-to-day management and will directly influence your timelines, budget, build quality, and overall success. Choose wisely.
Budget is important, but it’s not the only consideration in play. Pay attention to their ability to communicate, set timetables and manage projects, stay organized, and manage the team.
Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions — and I really do mean lots. Be as curious as a toddler, and look for a contractor who welcomes your questions and gives detailed, transparent answers.
Take your time. Do your research. Don’t rush the process. And remember that you’re still the boss. Choose someone who can prove their trustworthiness, that you feel comfortable with and can work well with.
