Starting a large renovation project can be a daunting task. It can often be a challenge to know where exactly to begin with the whole process and how to plan out all of the moving parts and pieces. This is why it’s so incredibly important to invest time and energy from the beginning in choosing the right multifamily renovation contractor for the job. With the right contractor, you will save time and money, and you’ll be sure to end up with a property that you can show off. Check out these tips for making sure you’re choosing the right contractor and signing the right type of contract for your next renovation project.

How Can a General Contractor Support Construction

Multifamily homes can often pose unique challenges when it comes to renovation projects, however, when hiring a contractor, many of the roles and responsibilities remain similar. Your general contractor will be spearheading most of the processes that come with renovating your multifamily home, including but not limited to the following:

Knowledge of Zoning & Building Codes: With the right contractor comes a wealth of knowledge around zoning and building codes. It’s up to the contractor to ensure that you’re following zoning ordinances and that any new designs or additions are compliant with building codes.

Home Design: When it comes to the overall design of your renovation, one of the most important parts of a contractor’s job is working with you and the architect to ensure your desired improvements are both feasible, safe, and compliant with building codes.

Building Materials: Another important responsibility of a multifamily renovation contractor is to source and purchase the supplies that will be used in your renovation. It’s up to the contractor to ensure the materials used are both high quality and cost-effective, so you need someone who has the right experience when it comes to finding the right supplies.

Acquiring Permits: Your general contractor will also be the point person on ensuring that you have all the relevant city or county permits needed for your renovation project, so finding someone with the right experience and knowledge to navigate these systems is crucial to getting the job done.

Choosing the Right Contractor

When it comes to finding the right person for your multifamily renovation project, the most important place to start is through doing thorough research. The obvious first step of course is to search online. Make sure you’re looking up not just highly recommended contacts, but also keeping an eye out for any serious red flag businesses to stay away from. Keep an eye out for local homes that you’re interested in because of the similar aesthetic vibe that you’re searching for, and you can always look at the property records to see what contractors were involved in remodels. When searching for your perfect contractor, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

  • Make sure you have a comprehensive project description to put forward to potential contractors so they can determine if the work is in their skillset as well as give you accurate cost projections.
  • Don’t limit yourself to the first couple of options you come across. Make sure you’re requesting bids from a number of different contractors so you can fully weigh your options.
  • Don’t skimp out on checking references. Make sure you get a few from each potential bid and when getting in touch, be sure to check in on timelines, costs, and appropriate completion of paperwork.
  • If a potential contractor is unwilling to obtain permits, provide references, or only accepts cash, these are all big warning signs. Make sure your multifamily renovation contractor has a good history of successful projects and is willing to do their due diligence with getting permits.

Contractor Qualifications

When checking out potential contractor qualifications, make sure that your potential hire is licensed, bonded, and insured. Working with an unlicensed contractor can pose a huge safety risk, so ensure that they are licensed through the proper state board or agency for your purposes. In addition to licensing and bonding, proper insurance is an absolute must. In most cases, contractors will come equipped with general liability insurance which will help protect both property owners and contractors in the case of any incidents occurring.

Signing a Contract

When you finally settle on a general contractor, there will inevitably be a contract signed by both parties outlining the agreed-upon services. With this contract, it’s crucial to ensure that all aspects of the work discussed are included, along with the outlining of any contingencies in the case of accidents or financial challenges. This contract should be created and reviewed by a lawyer prior to signing, however when going through it, make sure it includes the following relevant areas:

  • Project timeline
  • Project finances including supplies, compensation, and payment schedule
  • Information related to licensing, bonding, and insurance
  • Party liability
  • Roles and responsibilities regarding permit applications, site clean-up, supplies purchasing, etc.

Multifamily Renovation Contractor

Whether you’re looking for exterior or interior renovations, full remodeling, or even maintenance on your multifamily renovation project, at Genesis Construction we would love nothing more than to help build the home you need. With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, our qualified and professional staff will ensure that you receive the highest quality service and will work with you to plan out the improvements you’re searching for in a thorough and cost-efficient manner. Get in touch with us today and let us provide you with exceptional contracting services for your multifamily renovation project.