The first thing you need to do as a property owner is assess the complexity level of the project you are considering. If you are considering a project that only has one or two different trade disciplines involved, then you might be ok going directly to those specific trades yourself. Conversely, if you are most likely going to be dealing with three or more trades you might consider soliciting the help of a construction professional because the subcontractor selection process and the overall project timeline becomes much more difficult to manage for more complex projects, especially if you are inexperienced. For instance, the average kitchen remodel requires an average of 7 different trades (Cabinetry, finish carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing, electrical, and flooring).

Anytime your project centers around repairs associated with an insurance covered loss you should always look for general contractors who have extensive experience in working directly with insurance carriers and their policyholders in the performance of claim related repairs. A knowledgeable restoration contractor can successfully negotiate within the insurance guidelines to ensure you receive the fairest possible settlement for your claim and can truly be made whole again following a property damage claim. Experienced restoration professionals are also familiar with the documentation process required by insurance carriers when documenting unforeseen scope of work that may come up during the repair process. Failure to properly document these types of things can result in the homeowner incurring additional out of pocket costs to complete their repairs if a contractor fails to properly document according to a specific carrier’s requirements and that results in the carrier’s denial of additional money for the claim.

As a consumer, the right to choose your contractor is always your own. You cannot be forced into using a contractor simply because they are on your insurance carrier’s list of preferred vendors. In some cases, these lists add value for policyholders who may not know anyone else capable of providing the services they need. TriStar Avenue Construction Services uses the same insurance industry estimating tools and software and meets or exceeds all carrier’s specific requirements for proper insurance coverage and warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Make sure you choose a contractor that you truly believe has your best interests in mind.

There is no fool proof way to ensure that a contractor is right for you. Most issues arise during construction projects because of a breakdown in communication between the contractor and the customer. Feeling comfortable with your contractor and their ability to communicate with you is a critical component to ensuring you have a positive experience with your general contractor. Checking references and looking for negative reviews is also a good way to ensure that the contractor that you are considering performs professional quality work.

For smaller and intermediate size projects, you may only need the consultation and expertise of a qualified construction professional; however, if you are considering major structural modifications or additions it is important to solicit the independent expertise of architects, designers, and structural engineers. There is no need to worry if you do not have contacts for professionals who can provide those types of services, you can rely on the network of quality 3 rd party professionals here at TriStar Avenue Construction Services to help with even the most complex projects.

Being properly licensed and insured is a very expensive cost to your contractor but it is critically important to ensure that you as a customer are protected in the event something happens on your project. Failure to enlist the services of a properly licensed and insured contractor can result in catastrophic financial consequences to the property owner. A contractor’s licensing status can be verified with the state department of commerce and insurance. You should always ask for your contractor’s liability and workers compensation insurance certificates. It is always a good idea to call and verify the policy is in fact in good standing and enforced at the time of your work because it can be fairly easy to provide a fake certificate. For larger projects, it is advised that you request to be listed as an “additional insured” on the issued certificate. This provision allows you to file an insurance claim without the contractor’s consent, in the event that you have an issue with the work and the contractor is unwilling to make the necessary repairs.

It is true that you will typically incur higher costs to enlist the services of a general contractor; however, this is not always the case. General contractors do greater volumes of work than the average consumer and therefore are able to negotiate more favorable pricing in many instances. Additionally, a contractor whose primary business is doing construction has relationships that are more valuable to individual trades people vs. an individual consumer. This value gives a general contractor more control over scheduling and job coordination because the individual trade knows their next job with the general contractor depends on their performance in the current job. Unfortunately, skilled trades can be less responsive to individuals who likely represent a one time job. It’s important to understand the more complex the project, the more likely there are to be problems along the way. A skilled general contractor has likely faced many of those issues numerous times and has the experience and expertise to provide the most cost effective solutions to keep the project on schedule and on budget despite the routine setbacks of the construction project. Let our team at TriStar protect you from the pitfalls of trying to contract out your own project.

Tennessee state law states that no more than 33% of an agreed upon project costs should be collected up front unless there is a special circumstance that might exist with high upfront costs to the contractor for certain types of materials such as roofing materials, cabinetry, flooring materials, or any expensive special order materials that have long lead times and much be purchased early in the project. You should never pay in full for a project before the work begins.

Draw schedules and amounts should be discussed up front, in writing, and agreed to by both parties prior to the commencement of a job. Inspections may be required by a financial institution during the project to ensure that the funds requested are in line with the construction progress on the project.