The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a General Contractor in Austin

The time to upgrade your beloved home is here but you are not quite sure whom to hire. After all, this is YOUR home we are talking about so of course you want the best in the business! We know the process may seem daunting, as you do not want your hard-earned money to go to waste. To assist in this process, we have created the ultimate guide to finding the perfect general contractor to bring your dream kitchen or bathroom to life. Look out for our FREE downloadable checklist below to ease your search!

Finding a General Contractor

First, you need to search your area for available contractors. Not sure what to look for? Here are some examples:

• “General contractors near me”
• “General contractors in Austin, TX”
• “Bathroom remodel companies near me”
• “Kitchen remodels in Bee Cave, TX”
• “Kitchen remodel contractors”
• “Bathroom remodels in Westlake, TX”
• “Bathroom remodel companies”

Not all general contractor companies will have the skills to meet your aesthetics, so make sure you are doing extensive research on all the available remodeling companies near you.

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Next you want to dig deep into their credentials as you want to make sure that they are extremely knowledgeable about the kind of remodeling you want done. Check out their website and look at all their past work – you may even find some inspiration for your home! Read their reviews to make sure they are reputable and check to see if they hold any accreditations. You will want to keep a look out for companies who listened to what the customer wanted but provided professional incite to bring your dream to life. The last thing you want is a rude contractor telling you what YOUR home should look like. Most importantly, check to see if they are licensed and verify their license number. 

Meet the Contractor

After all that research, you’ll want to meet with them and get to know more about the process that they follow. Many contractors offer free estimates so make sure to utilize that opportunity. When meeting with the potential contractor make sure to ask the following questions:

• How many of these projects have you done recently?
• How long has your company been in business?
• Do you have a list of references I can contact?
• What does the process look like from start to finish?
• Will my project require permits?

You should get even more detailed depending on your project. If you would like to have a wall removed to create an open concept, ask what all that will entail. For example, they will have to determine if a wall is load-bearing and you will want to ask how they verify if it is or not. You do not want to jeopardize the integrity of the structural support of your home without providing an adequate solution. 

Get a Quote

Discuss what you imagine your home to look like and get a quote for the work. Ask if their company offers a warranty and what kind of payment schedule they offer.

Sign a Contract

Your dream kitchen is just a signature away! But let’s not get too excited and miss these important contract components: 

• Scope of work- What work is and what is not included in the project.
• Payment timeline – A schedule of payments and when they are due should be outlined.
• Contact information – Who should you call if you have any concerns or questions?
• Warranty information – This is a must as documentation will be needed for the warranty to take effect.

Begin the Process

After all that hard work researching and contacting various general contractors in your area, you will now get to sit back and watch the magic happen! Take before, during, and after pictures to leave a review for your contractor once your project is complete. There is no better way to thank a company than by providing positive reviews and spreading the word on the amazing work they do.