Home Indeed Blog

Home remodeling blog from Home Indeed in the Cedar Valley, IA. Home design, renovation inspiration, and more!

Why You Should Hire a General Contractor for Your Home Remodel

The time has come. After several years of living in your home, you’re ready to tackle a residential remodeling project that will enhance the value of your property and bring it up to date with your current lifestyle needs.

The first big question to answer is who will oversee the project? If it’s feasible to manage a residential remodeling job on your own, why hire a general contractor?

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Benefits of Hiring a Construction General Contractor

While you are legally allowed to renovate or remodel your own property in Northeast Iowa, it’s important to keep in mind just how many unique tasks need to be managed in a largescale construction project, not to mention the costs and time commitment involved. If you plan to invest significantly into your home improvement project, you want to make sure it’s done right without wasted time or materials or too much heartache along the way.

That’s how a qualified general contractor can help. Here is a look at several reasons why hiring a residential building contractor works in your favor:

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They Handle Every Aspect of Residential Job

When you hire a residential contractor, they handle all the coordination and oversight of your construction project. Your contractor becomes responsible for managing vendors, potential subcontractors and the on-site construction crew. They have a large network of subcontractors working for them and they know the best places for acquiring materials, which is industry knowledge that the typical layperson doesn’t have. Hiring construction workers is also a time-consuming task, not to mention risky if you select individuals without experience or a good work ethic. Your general contractor, on the other hand, has worked with numerous people over the years and knows who is reliable and trustworthy. Throughout the course of your remodel, they manage communication between the various parties to make sure everyone is on the same page so the project can run smoothly and on time.

Additionally, they provide all the materials, equipment and other services required for the remodel and maintain accurate records throughout the process. If you hire a design-build firm, they also have access to in-house professionals to assist with floorplans and design drawings, which means you don’t have to bother finding other personnel for the project. All the services you need for your job, from start to finish, are available under one roof with the right type of contractor.

They are Properly Licensed and Insured

As your general contractor is responsible for every aspect of your remodel in Northeast Iowa, it’s critical this person is properly qualified for the job. That means being licensed, bonded and insured.

In the state of Iowa, the term "contractor" refers to any person or entity that provides plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, sheet metal or hydronic systems services on a contractual basis and who is paid for rendering those services. Anyone who earns more than $2,000 per year performing contractor work must apply for and obtain a license. Professional contractors also must register with the Iowa Workforce Development Division of Labor. Finally, they must possess a public liability insurance policy and a surety bond.

What does all this mean to you as the homeowner? First, it’s a sign of credibility for general contractors to be licensed, bonded and insured. Additionally, you’re mostly protected if potential issues arise or accidents occur during the project, from property damage to a worker getting injured on your property. Hiring an unlicensed individual or uninsured contractor may seem cheaper upfront, but it could come back to bite you financially if an accident happens.

Their Experience is an Asset

There are advantages to being a well-rounded and resourceful person, but even if you’re accustomed to completing odd jobs around the house, that’s not quite the same as having years of concentrated experience in the construction industry. When you hire a qualified general contractor in Cedar Valley, you know they’ve completed dozens, if not hundreds, of projects similar to yours. They know whether permits need to be pulled and how to do that. They’re accustomed to adhering to local building codes and regulations. They know the price of materials and how they’ll look and function in your remodeled space. This knowledge and experience becomes an asset as you’re designing and constructing your remodel, whether it’s for a bathroom, kitchen or your whole home. It also gives you peace of mind that what is put down on paper is what you can expect to see built.

Work is Completed Correctly and Punctually

Because your general contractor has established relationships with vendors and trade partners, as well as ample experience with the various processes and tasks involved in residential construction, they can ensure your project is completed efficiently and on time. Just as importantly, the work is done right. Potential mistakes can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in time and money by forcing you to go back and start over. In some cases, homeowners end up having to scrap the whole project and call in a professional to make everything right.

In the long run, hiring a general contractor gives you confidence that the investment you’re making into your home will be put to good use and return the value you expect. Each dollar will be maximized by your contractor while you are freed up to stay focused on your other personal and professional responsibilities.

Why You Should Hire a General Contractor

Finding a Residential Building Contractor in Cedar Valley

Having a general contractor on your team is valuable in numerous ways. Without taking over the vision or dictating the goals for your project, they manage all the moving parts to ensure everything and everyone is where they need to be at the right time for a smooth, efficient process and superior results. At Home Indeed, we have a fine-tuned design-build process and a team of talented individuals who can handle every aspect of your home remodel in Cedar Valley, from the initial consultation through completion. By having one point of contact and one team throughout the project, you know your time and money will be well spent and that your vision will be brought to life exactly as you see it on paper.

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