Residential Contractors/Architects? (home, construction, home inspector)

[Septgirl75]

Hello,
We are looking at doing some remodeling and room/bathroom additions.
Can anyone recommend a residential contractor and or architect?
Thank you in advance.

[TrapperL]

You might not need a architect depending on how big the job is. Any architect run job is going to cost you more money. You might look at a home designer instead. They're basically the same thing but without the certification which buys you nothing. I've worked with numerous designers in town and all have been great. For a contractor, I'd suggest calling MG Building Materials and Acme Lumber for recommendations. They know who has been around and takes care of their customers AND pays their bills. Do not give money up front to any of these trades. If they are so small they can't carry the start of the job, you need to find someone else. If you feel uncomfortable with the contractor you've hired and have unanswered questions in regards to the construction, get a home inspector out there to review it. You can get a certified inspector in the area at nachi.org. Make sure to read and understand any contract. Look at draw schedules, if any, and what has to be in place for them to make a draw. Large jobs might have a draw schedule at foundation completion, frame completion, and at final. The usual draw is 30% at foundation, 30% at frame, and then at final when the job is 100% finished. Make sure the guy you hire has been around for a few years. You might have to have warranty work done and finding a little contractor can be an issue. Record ALL subs that come on the jobsite like the plumbing company, electrician, etc so that if you have an issue after the job is complete, you have a clue who to call if you can't get the contractors attention. But make sure the contractor you hire PAYS HIS BILLS. You can easily end up paying twice for the work via liens. If the contractor does not pay his bills, the trades will file liens and you'll be paying them directly even though you may have paid the contractor for the work already.

[Septgirl75]

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing, trying to find a builder, rather than architect.

[WilGar]

Originally Posted by TrapperL

You might not need a architect depending on how big the job is. Any architect run job is going to cost you more money. You might look at a home designer instead. They're basically the same thing but without the certification which buys you nothing. I've worked with numerous designers in town and all have been great. For a contractor, I'd suggest calling MG Building Materials and Acme Lumber for recommendations. They know who has been around and takes care of their customers AND pays their bills. Do not give money up front to any of these trades. If they are so small they can't carry the start of the job, you need to find someone else. If you feel uncomfortable with the contractor you've hired and have unanswered questions in regards to the construction, get a home inspector out there to review it. You can get a certified inspector in the area at nachi.org. Make sure to read and understand any contract. Look at draw schedules, if any, and what has to be in place for them to make a draw. Large jobs might have a draw schedule at foundation completion, frame completion, and at final. The usual draw is 30% at foundation, 30% at frame, and then at final when the job is 100% finished. Make sure the guy you hire has been around for a few years. You might have to have warranty work done and finding a little contractor can be an issue. Record ALL subs that come on the jobsite like the plumbing company, electrician, etc so that if you have an issue after the job is complete, you have a clue who to call if you can't get the contractors attention. But make sure the contractor you hire PAYS HIS BILLS. You can easily end up paying twice for the work via liens. If the contractor does not pay his bills, the trades will file liens and you'll be paying them directly even though you may have paid the contractor for the work already.

Excellent advise.
I would note all subs and demand a nortarized release of lien from each before any final payment is made.