Now that we’re closing in on the end of preliminary design, we’re at the stage that we really need to be figuring out who our general contractor will be.  I’ve read a bunch of books and blogs and have compiled the following list of questions to ask a builder…

General Contractor / Builder Interview Questions:

1. How long have you been in business?
2. How many projects do you have going at once?
3. Will you supervise my project yourself?  If not, do you have a full-time superintendent who will be devoted to my project?  Or will my project be one or more than one person will handle?  Can I meet the superintendent?
4. What other staff do you have?
5. What type of contract do you use?  Cost plus fee, cost plus percentage, fixed sum?
6. Do you require a deposit?  If so, how much?
7. How do you qualify the competency of the subcontractors that will be working on our home?
8. What type of schedule do you provide?  How do you show me where the progress of the work stands relative to the schedule?
9. How are changes handled?
10. How are allowance items handled?  Do you charge a mark-up on overages in allowances?
11. How long do you anticipate the construction of our home to take?
12. What would you estimate the approximate cost of construction to be based on the preliminary drawings that we have?
13. How and when will the final price for my home be determined?
14. How would you want payments to be handled?
15. How will you document progress, schedule, selections, costs, and other factors through the course of construction?
16. Does our time frame of construction work with your availability?
17. What type of warranty do you offer on your work and materials?
18. How do you compare yourself to other builders?
19. What are the most important benefits of the homes you build?
20. Can you provide me with a list of references and a list of all the projects you’ve done in the past 5 years?
21. How can you assure me that the subcontractors and suppliers be paid and that I will not be at risk for a mechanic’s lien?