I have an old, small, elevated (over a walk out basement) porch on a ranch style vacation home that I want demo’ed and replaced with a somewhat larger one. The final size will be on the order of 10X14 or so. I’m also going from a shed roof to a gable roof. I pretty much know what I want but will rely on the builder for information on what makes sense and what is a bad idea. I want the new porch exterior completed but I will do all the work on the interior.
I do a lot of DIY things but this job exceeds my experience. The problem with doing a lot of work on my own means that I have very little experience in hiring people. Being a vacation home, recommendations from others are also not too available. How do I go about assuring that I have a good, reputable contractor? I know to get 3 estimates, check references, licenses, insurance. That’s the obvious stuff, what else should I be looking at?
Also, when I started looking at contractors, who say they build additions, I found the guys with companies that have 5, 10, 20 etc. workers and then there are the guys that are one man operations. Is there a benefit to going with one or the other? My tendency, given the small size of this job is to go with the individual contractor. I don’t want my small job to get lost among others that are bigger, and pay more. On the other hand, it seems that the risk is greater with the small guy.
Any suggestions?
George
Replies
George,
Others may disagree but; since this is a vacation home I asume it is small town remote.
I would go to the local lumber yard where you will get materials (not big box eg. Lowe's or Home Depot) and ask for recomendations on small contractors who do this kind of work.
I should have put this in help / work wanted but, without reading it, thought that that was tradespeople offering or looking for work.
This is in Yarmouth down Cape Cod so no, it is not a remote area and there are plenty of builders....good and bad. That's part of my paranoia. It is an active are and I want to stay away from the guys who talk a good game but are just looking to cash in.
George
Either talk to the local lumberyard - but even better - I like to get recommendations from a local realtor (check first who does a fair volume in homes with the type of construction you have. Many of the realtors know tradesmen since they have to have fix up on a property they are selling or have had work done on their property.
George, there's a guy who visits here (has for a long time) and was from the Cape until recently going to Holland. I'm sure he could advise you on some possibilities available.
Crash is his screen name here. Roger is how he was christened, unless of course he's jewish.
I'll see if I can hunt him up and you can use this site to email him. Be back later with a link to an active thread of which he is a part.
Here you go. On the Way in Holland
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Edited 5/14/2007 5:19 pm ET by calvin