When Looking For A General Contractor, Pa Residents Need To Follow These Guidelines

By Author: Christopher Reilly
Total Articles: 3
Comment this article

General contractors in PA and most other states are licensed to perform and manage a variety of construction and remodeling projects. Homeowners and owners of commercial facilities hire general contractors to perform re-builds, renovations, remodeling and new construction. Yet just because a company sign says “General Contractors PA,” it doesn’t mean this is the ideal company for you to hire.

How do you go about evaluating general contractors? PA homeowners and business facility owners should look at three things:

Quality of previous work
Expertise in the work that needs to be done
Integrity and reputation

Quality of previous work

Any legitimate general contractor will have a website. And on that website there should be photos and descriptions of past projects. Many contractors are happy to give you the locations of projects they have completed so you can see them in person.

Remember, while it takes knowledge to pass a general contractor’s licensing exam, just the fact that a person possesses a license in no way guarantees ...
... that he’ll perform work that meets the standards you require. So view some of the work done by a contractor you’re considering using. In the end, it will pay off.

Expertise in the work that needs to be done

Here we’re looking not just for quality but also for experience in the type of project you’re considering contracting for. General contractors in PA, as the name implies, normally have a wide range of skills in a variety of project types. But that’s not always the case.

Some contractors specialize in new construction, and within that group some are more focused on homes than on commercial structures, and vice-versa. Some primarily do remodeling and renovations; others have little experience in these types of projects. It’s best to find a contractor with solid experience in what you want to have done.

Integrity and reputation

Most contractors will have testimonials on their websites and will be able to supply you with contact information of people who have hired them in the past.

Depending on where you live and the type of contractor you’re considering, you might be able to simply ask around town and find out what people think of a particular firm. Bad news travels fast, so if a general contractor has unethical business practices, it won’t be long before you find out about it.

In summary, finding a good general contractor in PA isn’t difficult, but it pays to do a little homework before making your choice. Ideally, you’ll find a good candidate who does quality work, is experienced in what your project requires and has a reputation for integrity.

Christopher Reilly is a freelance writer interested in Gavin Construction Company, a trusted home builders in PA. Learn more about general contractor in PA by visiting GavinConstruction.com