How to Choose a General Contractor

Part 4 - Checking References

Once you’ve compiled a list of General Contractors, you should set aside some quiet time and give of them each a call to introduce yourself and speak with them about your project.

Because the good General Contractor's are usually in demand, it's not uncommon for them to be too busy for them to take on your project, don't take it personally. But should that be the case, ask them for a recommendation before hanging up. They just may know one or two more for you to speak to.

If during that call however you find that they can accommodate your project and it is within their scope of experience (they've done this sort of thing before), you should go ahead and request a list of their last four or five completed jobs and a copy of their “General Contractors AIA Qualification Statement”.

An AIA Statement is a standard form that every qualified GC will have readily on hand and requesting one is standard operating procedure throughout the industry.

AIA statements list a GC’s corporate status, give you an overview of their financial stability, identifies what insurances they carry (i.e., liability and workman’s compensation, work completed, etc.) and should contain a list of their references from recently completed projects.

While you're waiting for the GC's AIA, give a few of their reference's a call. Feel free to download and use our GC Reference Check form (the .pdf file is available HERE). Although a pretty basic form, it should give you a good starting point.

The important thing is to set aside enough time to thoroughly check as many of their references as you possibly can in a consistent manner and prior to letting any of them bid!

Why? Because there are more horror stories about unqualified GC’s than there are about blondes stuck in deserted farm houses, that’s why.

In addition to qualifying their workmanship and reliability, it’s also important that your GC is familiar with the scope of work for your project. Hiring a wood framing GC for a steel stub project would not be recommended.

Part of your due diligence in checking your GC’s references is to also get a good feel for his or her skill set (which can be accomplished by reviewing the GC's AIA Qualification Statement” as well as calling the GC and asking pointed questions).

If your project is a kiosk in a mall, ask the GC if they have done any mall kiosk work? Has he worked in this mall? Is the mall union? Always use common sense when choosing your GC and always verify their experience. If the GC is hesitant or the answers don’t flow well, think twice about letting them bid.