
So you have made the decision to hire a cabin contractor to build or remodel your cabin or lake home. Congrats! It is a very exciting time. Now what? Before you make that call to set up an appointment, read our blog and learn about the five things to look for in a cabin contractor.
1) Does the contractor have an office and staff
Many small-time contractors don’t have an office or a staff to support your project. Several work out of their home and are just a 2–3-man crew who are mostly on site. The difference is an established business with signage that shows up on Google maps. The existence of an office and staff show a commitment to more than just making money. A office shows business structure and stability and a commitment to the customer experience. It shows permanence in the community and the industry. What’s more, is not only is the office space a place to meet to discuss a project, but it is also a place for the companies staff to plan and collaborate on your project. Communication with clients, trade partners and each other is the key to a successful cabin design/build project.
2) Does the contractor have the correct insurance and is it current?
This is very important. A License and insurance go hand in hand. This is because to obtain the former; you need to have the latter. Contractors with both are much more likely to do a quality job the first time. Because builds that are not up to contract and industry standards may cost them their license. Be sure they have both liability and workers compensation. Most importantly, not only do you want to make sure the insurance exists, you want to make sure it’s current & valid.
There’s nothing wrong with trusting people but there’s too much risk here to simply take your contractor’s word for it. Consequently, you should wrap up your “homework” by contacting the insurance agency directly to verify that the policies are current and will be in effect throughout the schedule of the build. Ask for a copy of the proof of insurance.
3) Do they offer their customers a written warranty
First let’s establish what a warranty means to the customer. This is a promise from the contractor to the customer to cover unforeseeable issues with products and services that may need additional help and/or repair. The cabin contractor should go over each line item to discuss what is covered in the warranty. Ideally, the contractor should discuss how long the warranty is in effect. In Wisconsin there is not statutory warrantee (meaning state mandated) so your contractor may not show you your warrantee in writing. Interestingly, in Wisconsin, you have no warrantee on your project material or labor.
4) Does the cabin contractor have a website?
A website is proof of public awareness and should explain the company values and describe the cabin contractor’s building process. It is a way for cabin contractors to display their work and communicate with their customers. A website will highlight what is unique and noteworthy about their business. A website is the gateway, door, and welcome mat of a business. It should educate the consumer and give you a feel of what it might be like to work with them. It is the very first impression and can determine with some certainty whether there is a vehicle for ongoing engagement and communication. The website your digital brochure. At its basic core, a website replaces a company’s brochure.
5) Does the Cabin Contractor have a good process?
A professional cabin contractor should have an easy and clear, comprehensive process that can be simply explained. For custom homes, significant renovations, remodeling and home additions, the experience can be daunting if the contractor lacks a clear process and business organization.
You want to be sure that all the boxes are checked including: selections, change orders, insurance, warrantee, customer decisions, payments, banking transactions and lien procedures are handled correctly and efficiently and that you have a record of all of it at the end of your project. Without that organization and good documentation, your fun and exciting project can turn into a source of personal stress and chaos.
In conclusion, being prepared and educated before hiring a cabin contractor will make a huge difference in terms of how satisfied and happy you are with the end result. For a complimentary consultation, give Tice Construction a call! 715-635-4664. We’ve been in business for nearly 40 years. We are happy to discuss your new cabin design build project (and our process) anytime!
