It might come as a surprise, but buying Northville real estate or even more expensive properties and nicer homes still requires some interaction from a contractor for most families.  Even if you find a dream home there may be work that needs to be done to either update old fixtures, get a home up to current codes, fix cosmetic damage or just make local Metro-Detroit real estate more comfortable for you and your family.

That means on top of finding the right buyer’s agent and the right Michigan mortgage lender, you need to locate the right contractor.  Depending on your project you could spend a significant amount of money on updates, repairs and renovation so asking the right questions is key.

This is especially true if you plan on building your own home!  Here are some key things to consider, and questions to ask, in order to get the right contractor and avoid any nightmare problems.

Finding the Right Contractor for Metro-Detroit Real Estate

The first step is always to check within your circle of contacts for referrals.  Others who own homes are likely to have worked with a general contractor at some point including your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors.  You can also grab names of construction companies and contractors by observing construction sites in your area – or check with the local chamber of commerce.

Once you have  a few names, your next step should be to make contact and check out their references or portfolio.  If you can tour a recently completed project to inspect the work, that’s great.  A reputable builder or contractor should also have names of past customers you can contact.  If you check references on contractors, keep these questions in mind.

• How well did the contractor hold to the originally quoted price?  Were that added costs that weren’t discussed?
• Did the contractor complete the work within the scheduled time frame or was the project overblown?
• Did the contractor handle any punch list items, or items that came up in the final inspection?

Once you’re satisfied with talking to references and you meet with a few contractors for an interview, there are some additional things to go over

• Did the contractor show up on time and prepared to speak with you?
• Were they respectful in answering your questions or were they bullish about selling points?  Condescending? Too quick or vague?
• Do they understand local building codes and will they inform you about who is responsible for pulling the permits for the job or jobs?
• Are the estimates they’re providing within your budget, and are they making any suggested changes to help keep the project in your budget if not?
• Do you carry workman’s comp and liability insurance?
• How long do they warranty their work?
• What kind of crews do they use – direct hire staff or subcontracting?
• How much do they require up front in order to start working?

When you’re trying to decide on the best contractor among those you interview, remember that the lowest price is rarely the right choice.  Weigh all things together include cost, reputation, quality of work, your own observations and gut feelings.