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?
​
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.