Pro advice needed: How to find a good contractor (long)

7 years ago

I'm hoping the pros that frequent this board will offer advice on how or where to find a good contractor for a bathroom remodel.

My definition of good (because everyone has a different definition):

1) Someone who makes sure the work is done right preferably the first time, but if there's a mistake made he identifies it and gets it fixed.

2) Communicates- I don't need a minute by minute update, but if there's a delay or a change in the plan he lets me know. Text, message- whatever.

That's about it- I'm not looking for the cheapest or fastest. I'm looking for competence and someone who is comfortable working for and communicating with a female (when you live in South Texas that's not a given).

Just so you know where I'm coming from. We bought this 50 year old ranch style house on a concrete slab in 2003 and room by room have been remodeling/updating/fixing. We call it the Bubba house, because Bubba built it and built the addition. Some of the things we've uncovered are pretty scary, and we assume the worst whenever we start a new area (kitchen/DR/halls/LR done). Until the bathrooms we acted as GC's and hired people as needed - mostly electricians and plumbers. My BF is a custom woodworker and his shop is behind the house.

In 2013 we started a cosmetic update of BR1 (vanity replacement/paint/lighting). Then we found the mold in BR2 and started seriously talking about tackling the bathrooms. Interviewed 3 GC's and hired the one who seemed the most qualified (licensed, bonded, insured, NARI awards, 25+ years in the business). Since this post is already too long I won't go into the details, but it was a hot mess early on. He completed BR1 and started BR2 before we fired him. In hindsight we shouldn't have let it go on as long as we did. A lot of lessons learned.

I swore I wouldn't hire another GC (someone threatens to put a lien on your house it makes an impression), but a year later I'm still looking at a BR that's about 1/3 done (gutted, plumbing/electrical done, tub installed- no walls, no tile, no fixtures). The job I'm in now doesn't give me the time at home to hire, coordinate, and supervise subs. My BF is an amazing person, but beyond being at the house and building the vanity and trimming out the doors isn't interested in acting as GC.

Most people say ask your neighbors or friends for references. I don't know many that have had a similar scope of work done that I'm doing. The couple that have and have had good experiences have lived on the north side of the city and their GC's stick to that side of town. I'm 15 min south of the city where there's more cows than people. Geographically not that far away, but not the typical suburb where most people live.

Any advice? How do your customers find you?

Lisa

Featured Answer

PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

7 years ago

As a contractor, my first instinct is to want to speak with the guy you fired. At our initial meeting if you didn't give me his name or were evasive, I'd be gone. Unlike most contractors, I'm not afraid to step in where someone else has left for whatever reason. My "previously spanked" customers are some of the most easy to work with, the least "know-it-all", all done talkin' about price, and very grateful at completion. I never underestimate the sophistication level of my potential clients and their ability to see both sides and you should do the same.

My Shower Autopsy and Losing My Schluter Virginity threads exemplify this perfectly.

Many of my customers find me on www.homeadvisor where they can read a decade's worth of reviews.

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Comments (11)

K Sissy
7 years ago
I understand and feel for you. Where do you live Lisa? We live outside of Cinti OH. I have a few names that I could give you, if you are in the same area. There's probably someone who uses this forum who could suggest someone good and reliable.
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I think you're probably going to have to find someone else to finish up anyway. But for both of you I think you should give it one last shot to straighten it out. I agree, letting him know your rights is one thing, but actually suing is an absolutely last resort. You did actually get much of the work you paid for, and it would cost many thousands to pursue the rest. And time. If he has done anything criminal, that's different. I'd sit him down and have as brutally honest a conversation as possible with him. Give him a "golden hour" to tell you everything -- EVERYTHING he needs to tell you. And then you'll figure out what to do. Tell him you just want this solved. You just want the work done. No blame, no emotion, lecturing, no yelling -- you need to HEAR it all. Take out the bid and go line by line. Ask what work he REALLY can do, and what he can't, what's finished, what needs to be done, what's paid for, what's not, what's ordered, what's at his workshop, etc. Tools. If he took any pieces of your house away, like doors or radiators etc., for repair you want to know where they are and get slips. Stuff like that. Then, for what he can do, make a realistic, bite-size schedule for as much as you've paid for. Whatever he hasn't done beyond that, I'd say get someone new. It may become obvious during this conversation what is really going on, if you listen and don't hammer him. Is he overextended? Does he have a substance abuse problem? Did he spend your money on another project? If he needs a small amount of money for materials, I might give him that, but not much more. I understand it's hard out there, and people are stuck. I really feel for them. But that doesn't mean this guy is your responsibility to save. He's got enough of your money. If you absolutely feel the necessity to, if your conscience or your religion compels it, dole out money for one job at a time. Counter. Tile. Bookcase. It also worries me a little that if he disappears, what you might discover months from now. Which is probably part of the reason other contractors don't like to take on half-finished projects. Contractor B finishes up shoddy contractor A's work, and there are problems. Contractor B can't prove he didn't do that particular work, or if he saw it, should have seen the problem and didn't re-do it. I think this is perhaps the hardest issue out there. If you trust your GC, every decision flows from there. But you can do all your research in choosing the best GC, do everything right, and still, it can go wrong. Don't blame yourself. There's really nothing you can write into a contract that can prevent someone from doing this. (I'm not a lawyer, that's just common sense.) Some state Bar Associations or attorney general's offices have some limited free or low cost legal advice (like from young lawyers on certain nights of the week who will tell you what laws/cases apply to your case, but not research it or advise you), or can tell you where to get it. I think this is fairly well-trodden territory in contracts. It might be worth giving them a call. Good luck!
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maries1120
7 years ago
We had a bad experience with a contractor that was just re-doing a simple l-shaped fence. He just needed to use the same footprint. It was crooked, not level and on the neighbor's property ( he said he asked and they were ok with that). After that we were gun-shy about hiring someone and the kitchen was our next project. Gulp! We joined Angie's List and called a name from there but the KD at HD gave us business cards for 2 contractors that she knew. We called both. Besides competence, I wanted someone that was easy to communicate with and would listen to me but also know how to tell me if what I am thinking wouldn't work or look right. Trust is important. Also someone dependable. I was happy with all 3 but had a better (more comfortable) feeling about one. He was one on the referrals from the HD kitchen designer. We've used him multiple times now and have been really happy with him. We have a great relationship. Anyway you could start with Angie's List. I saw commercials indicating it is free now. I haven't used Homeadvisor but I think Joseph's suggestion to try that is a good one. Maybe ask around at building supply or showrooms (plumbing supplies etc). Good luck. Finding an awesome contractor is a challenge.
scone911
7 years ago
So, have I got this right? You both own the house, but BF isn't interested in fixing up his own property, even though he's on the site and presumably has the skills? If that's the case, I'd have a serious discussion with him, because if I were a contractor, I'd wonder why even BF doesn't want the job.
southofsa
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the replies everyone- much appreciated.

K Sissy- Thanks for the offer, but I'm in south Texas. It'd be a pretty long commute for someone in Ohio :-)

Joseph, I'd be happy to give the guy's name as well as show progress pics. Good tip about homeadvisor- I'll definitely check it out.

marie1120- I am a member of Angie's List and have used them as a source. In fact the GC I hired has been awarded 17 Super Service Awards from them and is where I initially found his name. He still gets glowing reviews, though I've seen some pop up more recently that sound more like the experience I had. I've also started to wonder about Angie's list. I got an email saying there is a class action suit against them. I didn't read it closely, but something about payments from the businesses that are listed (again, may have the details wrong). My take on using them is the people who get good reviews at least have learned how to communicate and keep on schedule, but may or may not be competent. Might be different in other areas of the country.

I've asked at the plumbing supply place I've gotten everything from, but what I was told is they can't vouch for the workmanship of the plumbers/GC's they work with. Maybe they've gotten burned by a referral in the past.

Haven't ever used a designer before. Have to think about that.

scone911- Wow. I asked for tips on finding a bathroom GC and get relationship advice. Not sure why you'd think someone who does woodworking would be able to do the plumbing, electrical, or tiling for a BR remodel. He has, however, built me gorgeous kitchen cabinetry, beautiful moldings and trim throughout the parts of the house we've completed, and about a dozen pieces of custom furniture. He and I both work. Neither of us have the time to be GC for a bathroom gut remodel. He's building the vanity and storage cabinets- because they're made of wood.

Lisa
K Sissy
7 years ago
Good luck Lisa. Try the BBB website. I have used it in the past, and found some really good people.
millworkman
7 years ago
"I've also started to wonder about Angie's list. I got an email saying there is a class action suit against them"

Pay for play always was but people wouldn't listen.
User
7 years ago
I am not a pro (contractor) but a homeowner. I have been very satisfied using recommendations from realtors.
Katrina Tate
7 years ago
good advice here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4125102/researching-a-contractor-friends-family-yelp-houzz-angieslist
southofsa
Original Author
7 years ago
For all that took time to post suggestions- thanks. It's given me a lot of ideas. I actually found my first plumber (who has since passed away- he was awesome) through the realtor that I used to buy the house. He didn't have any suggestions this time around (he has a really hard time finding qualified subs- he acts as his own GC), but I can check with other realtors in the area.

Katrina- thanks for posting the link. I usually just follow a couple forums, and didn't do a whole site search.

Time to get busy- Lisa
maries1120
7 years ago
Shorewest Realtor (not sure if national) had a call center to recommend contractors for whatever type of work they needed done. Not sure if they do that anymore. We used them when we first moved in for some recs. They followed up after. I forgot all about that.

Pro advice needed: How to find a good contractor (long)

Joseph Corlett, LLC

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