First let’s determine the size of the job. Are we taking walls out, expanding a room, or finishing a basement? I’ll use the Finished Basement project as an example. You need an idea of what the space is going to be used for, entertaining or just a place for the kids to go nuts. So you’ll need a plan drawn up with the layout of rooms and dimensions, this will be required for permits and to have the trades bid. Most General Contractors like me have basics CAD programs to get the job done but if super details are what your looking for, then an Interior Designer or architect has to be brought in.
Once the plans are done, the General Contractor takes over, creating a “Scope of Work” and contacting all the other necessary trades. He lines up all the trades for a pre construction meeting at the residence with the plan and Scope of Work in hand. This is where the customer can walkthrough, ask technical questions, get advise, and meet the crews that will be working on their house.
Next, comes bidding. As the General Contractor I have a lot of leg and paperwork to do before even signing the contract. I take all the bids, rewrite them on ONE proposal, broken down to each trade, what’s being installed, and what each trade is charging. Once that’s complete it’s submitted and I wait for the “Go Ahead.”
I do caution people on the hiring process. I have yet met a contractor licensed to do every component of the project legally. General Contractors need builders licenses, electricians need their own license and so on down the list. Get references and request the contractors licensing and insurance info before any work starts.
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