Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Stonemasonry Contractor
Regardless of the stonemasonry project you are planning to have, it is important that you hire a reliable stonemasonry contractor that will finish the job for you. However, before hiring one, it is worth asking some questions in order to hire the right contractor for the job.
For all the excitement that you feel on the thought of having a stone fireplace built, the most important decision you'll make will not involve the color of the fireplace nor are the stones that will be used to build it. Instead, it's the stonemasonry contractor that will be doing the job for you. That choice will determine the timeliness of the work, the quality of craftsmanship and, of course, the amount of money you'll have to expend to have the project completed.
In order for you to make a sound choice, there are some essential questions you need to ask potential contractors. These will help you compare their responses and, ultimately, find the perfect contractor for the job.
What is your business history?
If this is the first time you'll hire a stonemasonry contractor, you want to get an idea of their business's history. This means you'll have to request for proof that the company is currently licensed to carry out stonemasonry projects. Other items you'll have to check include their liability insurance, if they pay employees legally and if they have workers' compensation.
On a similar note, find out if they are a member of a reputable professional association, has declared bankruptcy or if there are complaints or legal action filed against the company. You may also want to know how long they have been in the business and if they have changed names over the years.
Another good thing to do is to secure a list of references that the company have had projects that are similar in scope to the project you have in mind. Follow up with those references to know more about how the prospective contractor carry out their job and if they are satisfied with the results.
Who will be overseeing the project and how will it be supervised?
Since you want to have a job well done, you need to know during the course of the interview the plans of the contractor with regards to how they'll handle the project supervision, who will oversee the project and if they will have subcontractors. Remember that work-site presence is important to ensuring that the job will be done on time. Likewise, knowing who will be working on the project will give you the peace of mind that you will not get burned.
As much as possible, meet with the person who will oversee the entire project. Ask if he or she will be on site everyday, who will be supervising if he or she isn't there and how much time will the team have to spend on finishing the task.
What's the cost?
Another key detail you need to know relates to the estimated amount you will have to expend on the project. Request for price estimates including the materials and labor. Pay special attention for prices that are too high or too low. Also negotiate the payment schedule and factor in potential change orders and surprise expenses. Likewise, request for guarantees and timeline.