Building a structure from scratch is a lengthy process and requires a lot of time and money. The average cost of building a 2000 square feet house in Tennessee falls between 200 to 300 thousand dollars, but this figure can greatly vary depending on the area, the type of building, and the type of construction. Moreover, getting approvals for plans and blueprints and selecting materials take up a lot of time and energy, which can delay your project and add to the overall cost. 

Nonetheless, hiring a reliable construction company in Tennessee can make things easier for you, especially for smaller house-size projects. Hiring the wrong contractor for the job can add to the existing problems. It might even end up costing you more. 

If you want to ensure a construction project goes smoothly, here’s what you need to know to choose the right builder:

Have a thorough vetting process

Interviewing and screening the builders is a must. Don’t just interview one company and finish the job immediately. You need to interview and talk to at least a few builders. Remember to ask them for references to double-check with the previous clients. If the contractors are well-reputed, they will not shy away from providing credible references for you to rely on.

Be sure to check Tennessee state websites to check whether contractors are registered and licensed or not. You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations for Tennessee construction companies in case any of them have worked with one previously. This way, you will most likely find trustworthy and reliable recommendations to work with.

Go online

You can look up Tennessee-based construction companies online and find out more information about them. Visit company websites and local business listings on Google and social media. Customer reviews, testimonials, and business ratings on Google and platforms like Better Business Bureau can help you identify and select highly rated and well-reputed contractors for your project.

Get bids

In Tennessee, all contractors must have a state license if they want to bid on projects worth $25,000 and above. Despite that, you should get several bids before hiring one company. Comparing bids is not as hard as it may seem. Ask the bidding construction companies to break down the construction expenses to compare and contrast the cost of raw materials, labor, and wages to profit margins and any other expenses you may incur.

Once that is done, determine your budget and choose whichever company is the most suitable. However, don’t let prices be the only factor to consider when choosing the right contractor. Ensure that they are cooperative and, above all, competent. 

Check out their previous work

Checking out their previous work and meeting up with their references is a time-consuming job. However, it is one of the most important things you must do when vetting construction companies. Not only are you investing your money into the project, but you are the one who will have to deal with problems that surface later on. Hence inquire as much as you can beforehand to avoid trouble later.

Remember not to shy away from asking questions from the references provided by the construction company. Was the work completed on time? Did they use good material? Were the builders cooperative and understanding? The answers to questions like these can help you narrow down your options

Ask about insurance

When a lot of money is already going into a project, you do not want a constant threat of lawsuits looming over your head. A construction site can be dangerous and likely cause serious harm to workers. To mitigate this issue, ensure the construction company has general liability insurance to cover any injury caused to a third party. If insurance does not cover damages, the responsibility to compensate for the loss may be yours.

Put it in writing

Now this is the most obvious tip. Yet some people do not bother reading the contract or merely skim through it. Whenever you sign a contract, carefully read the clauses to save yourself from any trouble later. Since legal jargon is not everyone’s forte, a lawyer’s help is necessary.

Have your lawyer review the contract and ensure it includes the following: payment schedule, liability insurance, workers’ compensation, project starting and completion dates, and a clause that protects you if the contractor defaults on supplier payments. Also, ensure details of the materials that are to be used are mentioned in the contract.

Expect delays

Despite a conclusive contract being drawn, unprecedented delays are pretty common. A delay does not mean that it is necessarily the contractor’s fault. Sometimes Mother Nature can cause delays, both out of your hands and your contractors. A sudden rainfall or heavy winds can cause the construction to halt. Anticipating delays and dealing with them realistically is the key to a smooth construction process. Hence, be patient and realistic when dealing with something like this.

Involve your builder in the design process

The design and architecture you have in your mind may not be realistically possible. A constrained budget or the area of your property may determine how your house will be constructed. Hence, involving the builder in this process allows them to provide you with alternate options inside your budget and the closest to your dream house!

Conclusion

Constructions and significant renovations are time-consuming processes. Not only do they require money, but they can be draining regarding the energy required. However, the process can be a breeze if the construction company hired is credible and have competent staff with unique skills and characteristics. Hence when vetting companies to work with, be it Tennessee or any other state in the US, take your sweet time and avoid making hasty decisions.