Professional General Contractors Know How to Get It Done

A home remodeling project can be stressful for a homeowner. There is a need for considerable planning that includes hiring a general contractor to bring every step of the process together. Unless you hire the right general contractor, the substantial financial investment made to pull off your project can turn into a fruitless pursuit that tries to prevent financial losses. At Mares & Dow, we give the homeowners that we work with peace of mind knowing they have hired one of the general contractors that know how to get it done.
The question is how do you find one of the few general contractors that know how to get it done?
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Let’s review the characteristics that define the best general contractors in the Bay Area.

Professional Credentials

One of the keys to finding professional general contractors that know how to get it done is to understand which criteria are non-negotiable. Professional credentials represent one criterion that you cannot afford to let slide when you search for a general contractor. The general contractor that you hire to manage your home remodeling project should have acquired the proper licenses and insurance policies required by California state law. You also should confirm that any general contractor on your shortlist has earned the most prestigious professional certification. These include the certifications awarded by the Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) and the Building Industry Association (BIA).

Proven Record of Success

Experience is a word mentioned when describing the best general contractors in East Bay and San Francisco. Although it is true that you do not want a “green” general contractor managing your home remodeling project, it is more important to search for a general contractor that can demonstrate compiling a record of successfully completing home remodeling projects. The experience compiled by a general contractor on your shortlist should be for projects that are similar to the one that you want done for your house. For example, if you plan to install skylights inside your home, you should look for a skylight contractor that has compiled several years of successfully completing skylight installation projects.

Responsive Communicator

Professional general contractors such as Mares & Dow that know how to get it done are responsive communicators. They promptly return messages left by phone, text, and email. If you have an urgent matter to discuss with the general contractor in charge of your home remodeling project, you should not have to wait until the next day to discuss the issue. In addition, the general contractor hired to oversee your home remodeling project should communicate with you about issues that have a strong impact on the completion of your project. For instance, if the general contractor has to deal with a shortage of materials, the contractor should inform you as quickly as possible concerning the possibility of a project delay.

Understands Codes and Regulations

General contractors that know how to get it done share many attributes, one of which is having detailed knowledge of the complex housing codes and regulations established by the State of California, as well as the municipal government where you live. California residential property regulations frequently change to account for many factors, which means the general contractor hired for your home remodeling project should stay informed about the most recently enacted housing regulations. The same principle applies to the housing codes enforced by local governments in the Bay area. One of the most important local housing codes concerns the housing code requiring homeowners to make their houses earthquake-resistant.

How Does a Great General Contractor Eliminate Customer Concerns?

Homeowners who decide to complete a home improvement project, especially a complex project, can experience a considerable amount of stress. Even if a general contractor is running the project, issues such as project delays and shoddy workmanship can keep homeowners up at night. The most effective way a general contractor can eliminate customer concerns involves maintaining open lines of communication. If there is a problem with your construction project, you can expect Mares & Dow to contact you right away with a detailed explanation of what has gone wrong. We also promptly return phone, text, and email messages.

A great general contractor eliminates customer concerns before a project begins as well. Let’s take a look at five topics to discuss with a general contractor such as a skylight contractor before your home improvement project begins.

Proper Credentials

Eliminating customer concerns is all about giving you peace of mind. The first step to eliminate your concerns before a project starts is to verify the professional credentials of a general contractor. At Mares & Dow, we present our customers with the proper license and insurance paperwork to confirm our professional credentials. If a general contractor cannot present the right credentials, you should search for another general contractor to take on your home improvement project.

Testimonials

Most general contractor websites include a section called “Testimonials,” in which former customers provide positive feedback about the work done by a general contractor. Although website testimonials give you insight into the caliber of a general contractor, you should support website testimonials with references given to you in person or over the phone. If a general contractor on your shortlist of candidates cannot present positive references, then you should move on to the next general contractor.

Experience Matters

Although years of experience give you an idea of the reputation of a general contractor, make sure the years of experience have resulted in delivering high-quality workmanship. In addition, you should consider a general contractor who has years of proven success completing the same type of home improvement project that you want done at your house. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website page for a general contractor lets you know how many years of experience the contractor has compiled.

Access to Materials

Several factors can delay the completion of a home improvement project, with bad weather representing one of the most common reasons. Another common reason for causing a project delay concerns the inability to have access to the right materials. Disruptions in the supply chain, such as the ones that we witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, can result in project delays that last weeks, even months. The general contractor hired for your home improvement project should explain to you how the contractor plans to avoid costly and time-consuming supply chain disruptions.

Fully Staffed

One of the most important responsibilities of a general contractor involves recruiting the most qualified trade professionals to work on your home improvement project. Acute labor shortages have caused project delays for general contractors across the United States. Before your home improvement project starts, ask the general contractor to provide a list of the names of every trade professional recruited to work on your project. If the general contractor has not yet filled all the trade professional positions, you can expect a delay in the start of your home improvement project.

A Professional General Contractor Will Handle All of Your Construction Projects

Homeowners have many factors to consider before hiring a general contractor to manage their home improvement projects. You want a general contractor who has acquired the proper professional credentials, as well as presents an estimate that fits within your home improvement project. The general contractor overseeing your project should be a responsive communicator which means quickly returning emails, phone calls and text messages. A highly-rated general contractor such as Mares & Dow also meets every project deadline.

One factor that does not receive as much attention, but it should, refers to a general contractor’s versatility. In other words, you should search for a general contractor who has the skills and experience to complete different home improvement projects. Versatility saves you both money and time.

Mares & Dow specializes in completing four different types of home improvement projects.

Skylights

Installing skylights can immediately increase the value of your home for both aesthetic and functional reasons. A skylight contractor such as Marex & Dow installs skylights to lower your energy bills, which also reduces your home’s carbon footprint. More sunlight in a room highlights certain features such as plants and artwork. Natural light is known for improving the mood of anyone who steps into a room, as well as encouraging the circulation of fresh air when opened.

Retaining Wall

After enhancing the appearance of the interior of your house with skylights, the time has come to go outdoors for the completion of three home improvement projects. The first project is to build one or more retaining walls. The functional benefit of a retaining wall is to prevent soil erosion and stop heavy rain from entering the lower floor of your home. Aesthetically, one or more retaining walls create visual appeal by dividing sections of your property.

Siding

Mares & Dow also specializes in completing siding installation projects. Siding helps cover up defects on the exterior of your home, but the material is more of a preventive addition to your home. The highest quality of siding prevents moisture from degrading the exterior of your home. It also prevents pests from gaining access to small gaps in the areas where the side of your house meets the roof. Rugged siding absorbs the punishment delivered by hail and tree limbs to maintain the curb appeal of your home.

Outdoor Living Space

Homeowners who have run out of space inside their houses turn to outdoor living spaces to create more room for guests. Pergolas, gazebos, and pavilions represent three types of outdoor living spaces that increase the square footage of usable space for your home. An outdoor kitchen gives you more room to cook meals for a large number of guests. An investment in an outdoor living space can generate a return in home value that doubles, triples, or even quadruples the initial investment.

Benefit From the Versatility of Mares & Dow

Hiring a versatile general contractor like Mares & Dow can save you both time and money. You can save money by bundling home improvement services and you save time by contacting just one contractor. If you want a home improvement service that is outside of our list of services, we recruit a proven subcontractor to get the job done right.

What are Typical Construction Codes & Permits Pulled By a General Contractor?

Homeowners who plan for a home improvement project have to address several issues, such as how much to spend and what type of color to paint a bedroom wall. They hire general contractors to address other important issues such as ordering the correct amount of supplies and hiring subcontractors to work on specific trades such as plumbing and roofing. One area that both a homeowner and a general contractor like Mares & Dow must address concerns codes and permits.

In other words, what are typical construction codes and permits pulled by a general contractor?

Homeowners do not have to worry about pulling the codes and permits, which is one of the most important reasons why you should hire a general contractor who specializes in completing complex home improvement projects. Bureaucratic red tape can be highly frustrating to navigate, which means an experienced general contractor represents an essential hire to plow through the red tape that can cause construction delays. For example, a skylight contractor has to meet certain codes that allow for the installation of skylights.

Homeowners just need to know that the general contractor has pulled the correct codes and permits. You should ask for a list for reference during the home improvement project. However, one type of permit is important for homeowners to understand.

The Most Important Permit: Building Permit

City and county governments grant written authorizations that allow a general contractor like Mares & Dow to start a construction project. The purpose of issuing a building permit is to ensure the safety of the homeowner, contractors, and neighbors, as well as that the general contractor complies with every zoning and construction code.

Not every construction project requires the acquisition of a building permit. Every municipality and county government establishes codes according to regional issues. For example, building codes in Florida typically require homeowners to achieve structural stability that withstands certain hurricane conditions. A home in a more rural region might have to comply with codes that are centered around using fire prevention materials.

Home improvement projects that require a building permit include removing walls, changing pipes, and installing a new roof. On the other hand, home improvement projects that usually do not require a building permit include painting your house, replacing certain appliances, and putting up a small fence. In addition to obtaining a building permit, you also might have to acquire special system permits, such as plumbing, electrical, and/or mechanical.

What Are the Steps for Obtaining a Building Permit?

Although homeowners are not required to obtain building permits, understanding how the process works can ease any anxiety generated by a home improvement project.

The first step in the building permit process is to submit a fully completed application. Next, the general contractor managing your project prepares a site plan. If your project is complex, the general contractor might have to hire an architect to create the blueprint for the project. The general contractor then schedules an appointment to discuss the project with the appropriate government official or officials. The governing body might approve the project plan at the time of the meeting or you might have to wait several days or even weeks to hear back from the governing body. After approval of the project, the general contractor receives the permit and then begins scheduling inspections before gaining formal approval to start work on your project.
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The permit approval process also varies by region, with large cities typically applying tougher construction codes to account for the development of commercial structures.

General Contractors Manage Diverse Projects of All Sizes

When you get general contractors to manage a home improvement project, you have to consider several factors before choosing the right one. Some of the most common factors to consider for hiring a general contractor include years of experience, acquiring proper licenses, and responsively communicating with you. One factor that does not get mentioned as often, but it should, is versatility. The best general contractors manage diverse projects of all sizes.

Mares & Dow is one of the general contractors that manages projects of all sizes. Our team of contractors plans, organizes, and manages complex home remodeling projects that involve several specialty contractors. On the other hand, we have the expertise to complete the following home remodeling projects that involve just one specialty trade.

Skylights

The installation of skylights delivers several benefits for both homeowners and business owners. By opening up one or more spaces to sunlight, you immediately enhance the ambiance of a living space. Adding more sunlight also keeps a living space comfortably warm during the colder months of the year. Homeowners benefit from lower energy bills during the colder months of the year, while at the same time leaving behind a much smaller carbon footprint. Opening up skylights also improves the circulation of air.

Siding

Curb appeal refers to the first impression someone has when they pass by your home. Adding siding to your home represents one of the most effective ways to boost curb appeal, which in turn translates into a higher home value. As a general contractor, Mares & Dow does not have to hire a specialty contractor to add siding to your house. We have a team of special contractors that specialize in completing highly successful siding projects. In addition to improving the visual appeal of your home, siding also delivers the functional benefit of protecting your house against prolonged exposure to moisture.

Retaining Wall

Creating a retaining wall also produces visual appeal, as well as provides functional benefits for your property. Building one or more retaining walls prevents soil erosion, which can be a major problem during the rainy season. By trapping loose soil, a retaining wall diverts rainwater from spots that often lose soil. Building retaining walls is another specialty trade mastered by the contractors at Mares & Dow. We help homeowners determine the materials used to build a retaining wall, as well as where to build it to maximize functionality.

Mares & Dow Offers Comprehensive Services

Mares & Dow is one of the few general contractors that manages projects of all sizes. We also provide more services than our competitors. If you are looking for a general contractor just to install skylights, siding, and or retaining walls, our team of professionals can help you achieve your home improvement goal. Mares & Dow also removes skylights, siding, and retaining walls for property owners who have decided to go another direction to increase the value of their properties. If you have skylights, siding, and/or retaining walls that need a little maintenance or require substantial repair work, Mares and Dow is ready to tackle the home improvement job.

Is It Better to Hire a Contractor or a General Contractor?

Is it better to hire a contractor or a general contractor?

The answer to the question depends on the nature of a home remodeling contract. The more extensive the home remodeling project, the more likely that you should hire a general contractor. For small home renovation projects such as installing skylights, you are probably better off hiring what is called a specialty skylight contractor. In the United States, contractors receive licenses based on meeting specific professional qualifications.

Let’s review what it takes to become a special contractor and a general contractor.

Specialty Contractor

A specialty contractor (SC) typically is referred to as a Class C license holder. Earning this license qualifies a specialty contractor to work in a specific trade, such as heating, plumbing, roofing, and welding. Specialty contractors undergo comprehensive training to master their specific trades. They learn the technical applications of their specific trades, as well as master the organization of projects. The owner of a property or a general contractor can hire an SC, depending on the scope of a home remodeling project. Specialty contractors are responsible for following the safety codes and regulations established by local governments.

General Contractor

A general contractor manages a home remodeling project that requires the professional services of two or more specialty contractors. General contractors schedule deadlines for the different steps involved in completing a home remodeling project, as well as ensure all the materials needed to complete the project arrive on time and in the correct quantities. For example, a general contractor like Mares & Dow contracts with a specialty contractor to install a new roof and a different special contractor to revamp a home’s plumbing system. When a GC hires an SC to perform work on a home remodeling project, the GC usually compensates the SC with a down payment. The balance is paid after the completion of the home remodeling project.

What Factors Should I Consider Before Hiring a GC and SC?

Although general contractors and special contractors have different professional obligations during a home remodeling project, the criteria they should meet are similar in many ways.

You want to ensure both types of contractors have acquired the proper licenses and insurance. Second, both types of contractors should provide several references, preferably from recent clients. If a contractor does not provide any professional references, you should consider that as a serious impediment to hiring the contractor. Third, any contractor under consideration should have access to enough materials, as well as have a backup plan to address supply disruption issues. Fourth, contractors must have enough labor to complete your home remodeling project, which can be a difficult goal to reach during acute labor shortages.

Communication is Critically Important

One of the most compelling reasons to hire a general contractor for a large home remodeling project concerns the ease of communication. If you hire several special contractors to handle jobs that require several different trades, you have to communicate with each special contractor to determine issues such as the status of a certain step within the scope of the project. On the other hand, hiring a general contractor to manage different special contractors streamlines the communication process. Instead of communicating with several special contractors, the communication channel goes through one source, the general contractor.

Just make sure to agree on the types of communication channels to use during your home remodeling project.