Working on a renovation at a multifamily property? Dependable contractors and subcontractors are key to getting quality work done on time and on budget.
These seven tips can help you find the right people for the job — and turn them into reliable, go-to partners for projects at your apartment buildings.
Ask for references, and call to check them out, says the New York State Attorney General’s Office. Your local building department, material suppliers or subcontractors might also be able to offer a reference, the CLSB states.
After checking references, if feasible, visit buildings the contractor has worked on, says Waddell Wright, Senior Vice President of the Institute of Real Estate Management.
“If somebody walks past this building, are they going to want to hire [the contractor]?” he says.
The New York State Attorney General’s Office also recommends searching for the contractor on the Better Business Bureau website and looking for complaints.
“If you’ve got a building built in the 1800s and five stories and [the contractor has] never really worked with a building like that before, you’ve got to really vet them to your product type and make sure they thoroughly understand not only the material and how to put it together, but the codes aspect of it too,” Wright says.
Be cautious if a bid seems too good to be true, or if the contractor or subcontractor pushes to get non-emergency work done ASAP, Weed says. He once had a subcontractor offer to start on a project same day. When Weed got a second quote, that subcontractor couldn’t start as quickly, but charged a dramatically lower rate.
“If someone’s trying to pressure you or saying they can get it done right now, I would hesitate,” he says.
When working with a new contractor or subcontractor, consider testing the waters with a small job before committing to a major project, Weed says. If both parties are happy with the results of the first job, that can build trust for additional work.
Typically, the most skilled contractors and subcontractors are in high demand. One way to make your project stand out: Pay promptly. Weed recommends being clear on pricing upfront and talking through any cost changes as they arise to avoid surprises and delays when the invoice arrives.
“With subcontractors we like working with, we want them to be financially happy,” he says. “We benefit when they keep a project on track and on budget, and they deserve what they get paid.”
Also, if you expect to have additional projects, let the contractor or subcontractor know it’s not a one-time job, but could turn into a consistent source of work, Weed says.
“There’s no cheat code to it,” Weed says. “It’s all about building relationships.”
Being thoughtful when hiring contractors can help projects go smoother and keep properties well-maintained — something that encourages renters to stick around.
“We’re all in the art of providing shelter for humans,” Wright says. “Our end product is going to be occupied by someone, and we need to all keep that in mind.”
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