General Contractors

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. The most common types of jobs that I get are framing and drywall. Everyone is either wanting a remodel to update an older home, or they want an addition. Decks, sheds and porches are also a high demand job.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Always ask for references and always make sure the contractor, whether a company or a DBA, writes a contract. And always read the contract and make sure the total price for labor and materials is included along with a start date and expected finish date. Also make sure it includes a phone number and address of the contractor. This is the law in Illinois. And be sure the payment agreement is in the contract. And be sure to see proof of insurance.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. I would say the most important information a customer should know when contacting any contractor is what the budget is that they have to work with. They should also know a general idea of what they want in the end process. Construction is not cheap, even in todays economy. And to many times people have been disappointed when they receive a bid.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. What I like most about being a contractor is taking something old and making it look like it was just built. Or taking an empty space and turning it into someones home, or a new living area in the basement or as an addition. Taking something dull and turning it into something that amazes people is a great feeling.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. We are often asked how the hourly rate is billed. At $35.00 per man hour with a $105.00 work start charge which includes the first 1 man hour, if 3 employees are sent to your home and they are there for 2 hours it would cost $280.00. Broken down it looks like this: $105.00 to start, which includes 1 hour for 1 man. Then you have 2 men at $35.00 each per hour for the first hour which is $70.00. Then for the second hour you are billed $35.00 per hour for each man (3 men) which is $105.00. Then add $105.00 start charge and $70.00 per 2 men first hour and finally $105.00 per 3 men for the second hour and you get a total of $280.00 for labor.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I wish customers knew that every construction job has snags. Some are bigger than others. It may be from the weather or it might be from termites. Either way not every job goes as smooth as the customer likes. And not every job stays on budget. Sometimes hidden damage requires more work, time and money.