When choosing a contractor in Big Bear, CA, the first thing to check is that they hold a current California (CA) Contractor’s License.
There are some other important things to be aware of.
Say you want to remodel your bathroom. Be mindful that bids from different contractors may not compare apples with apples. For instance, Bid #1 for your bathroom remodel may be attractively low compared to Bid #2. But what you may not realize till the end is that Bid #1’s bathroom fixtures are the cheapest ones from the home improvement center, whereas Bid #2’s are elegant fixtures from an upscale supplier.
Always be sure you understand what kind of materials will be used, even if it means asking a lot of questions. Any contractor who won’t take the time to answer your questions gets crossed off your list.
Let’s talk about money:
NEVER select a Big Bear contractor based solely on money. The lowest bidder may sometimes be a good choice, but the old adage that you get what pay for is especially true in the construction industry.
Contractors who do high-quality work are experienced and skilled, and are less likely to cut corners by using shoddy materials or slap dash construction techniques.
If a contractor comes in with an especially low bid ask him how he figured the numbers.
Does he pay his people a lot less than the competition? That’s a red flag that his workers are inexperienced.
Does he get a “good deal” on materials? Where? Why?
All busy contractors get some kind of discount at the suppliers they regularly buy from. So if a contractor with a low bid says he gets a super-low price on materials, they are very possibly sub-standard in some way.
Choose someone you like. You should also select a general contractor who is not only skilled and reliable but who is someone you can get along with. You may be on the phone with your contractor several times a day. You will be discussing money – how much of it you have, and what you want to do with it. You may have to work through disagreements over details. A contractor with poor communication skills or someone who simply rubs you the wrong way is not the one for you, no matter how much your neighbor liked him.
[…] Decks are a popular house addition. From barbecuing and entertaining, to sitting and watching the stars, the deck is perfect. A little maintenance will go a long way. If your deck needs repairs, be sure to get a licensed Big Bear contractor. […]