How to Hire a Building Contractor
Information to help you pick a building contractor that’s right for your next project.
It is illegal for a builder to construct a new home if they are not registered with Tarion and HCRA and both the homeowner and builder could face charges.
Registered
• If you are building a new home, your General Contractor should be registered with HCRA (Home Construction Regulatory Authority) and Tarion (Home Warranty Program in Ontario).
If you’re speaking with a contractor, and they tell you this is an added cost and that’s why they don’t do it, this is a red flag.
• If they tell you that you are to put your name down as the builder because they are not registered, this is also a red flag. It means you have nothing behind you if they don’t do a good job or something goes array.
• We are proudly registered with both as 1739904 Ontario Inc.
What does a Building Contractor Do?
A building contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of your custom home or renovation. They manage all vendors and trades, therefore ensuring you receive the best quality for your investment. They also handle the communication of information to all involved parties throughout the course of your building project.
At Universal Builders we will even assist with purchasing the property for your dream home to ensure it is the appropriate parcel for your desired home.
Getting Bids
A homeowner typically would contact and consult with two or three contractors to get bids on their project. It is a good idea to ask a lot of questions and you should feel comfortable with the contractor who is bidding on the work.
Hiring a Building Contractor
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Get it in Writing
If your potential contractor wants you to pay cash for a discounted rate, answers your questions with a vague answer or doesn’t want to get a building permit, a red flag should go up in your mind. If the contractor’s price is very low compared to other prices you’ve gotten, that could signal that your contractor is inexperienced. If you get the feeling that you’re imposing on the contractor’s time or that something isn’t right, this could signal another red flag in your mind and this may not be the building contractor for you.
Detailed Contract
A detailed contract describing what is included in the project is a must, especially for a large project such as building a house. A contract should be written for any project so that you know what you are getting.
Can you Work With The Contractor?
Can you work with this contractor when the project gets stressful? Do you have confidence in he or she to be able to solve problems that arise? Does the contractor communicate well if you ask a lot of questions? Or that something isn’t right, this could signal another red flag in your mind and this may not be the building contractor for you.
Insurance
Does the contractor have adequate insurance? Most insurance companies advise companies to carry 2 million dollars of insurance. Do they carry workman’s compensation for their employees?