Top 10 General Contractors in Essex, MD
Frequently asked questions about general contractors
It may seem more economical to hire several subcontractors rather than one general contractor for your building project. Some state licensing rules even require hiring a general contractor for certain projects. Even if this isn’t a state requirement in your case, it often makes sense for homeowners to hire a professional, licensed, and insured general contractor for certain projects. A general contractor will know the ins and outs of the business, and will work with subcontractors whom they trust to get the work done efficiently, safely, and on time.
General contractors know that their business can be made or broken on their reputation. They will work hard to get your project done on time, orchestrating the work of subcontractors so that
the whole project turns out just as planned. While it may be tempting to skip hiring a
general contractor in favor of hiring many subcontractors for lesser initial cost, you may end up spending more in the long run in addition to the time and headache involved in coordinating the work of subcontractors. Hiring a general contractor you can work closely with throughout a project can help you avoid potentially costly—and maybe even dangerous—miscommunication down the road.
First off, sort out every possible detail in advance using a detailed project plan—including details like specifications for fixtures, finishes, and fittings—to avoid cost gaps in the contractor’s initial bid. The more specific you are, the more realistic and accurate the bid will be. Stay in close contact with the project lead, and try to meet with them every day to stay on top of progress, troubleshoot any issues, and avoid costly miscommunication. If possible, try to be on-site at the start of each day. Make sure it’s OK to call or text your contractor throughout the day. It also makes sense to keep a project journal to write down product order numbers, jot down questions and ideas, and note delivery dates. This type of journal can make it easier to sort out any disputes that may arise later in the project. Similarly, be sure to track any changes to the initial project plan in writing (this is usually called a “change order”). If unforeseen changes are required, make sure your contractor offers a bid for the change in writing. (You can specify that changes be made in writing in your original contract.) Other tips:
- check work as it progresses
- pay only for completed work
- be a fair customer by paying bills on time, responding quickly to questions, and treating your contractor and their workers fairly
- know the workers’ names, and make sure they have what they need
Establishing a good working relationship with your contractor from the get-go will lead to a more successful completed project in the end.
Some general contractors charge a flat fee, but most general contractors get paid a percentage
of the overall cost of a completed project which is called a “markup.” This amount covers their overhead, which includes advertising, insurance, office expenses, and their own salary. Remember that contractors will ask for a percentage of the total cost of the project up front in order to get started. But make sure this is no more than 15 percent, which is a fair and decent amount to start most home projects. Most states cap this up-front percentage at 33 percent, and a good contractor should have enough credit to cover other up-front costs.
A big remodeling project can be a costly investment. It’s a long-term investment in your home, so it makes sense to look beyond just the contractor’s fee when choosing a general contractor for your remodel. You’ll want to hire someone can provide proof of licensing, insurance, references, and a worthy track record. When you enter a project with a contractor, you need a pro you trust with your home, so it’s wise to do your homework upfront for a successful outcome.
Start with a detailed and specific plan including the scope of the remodeling work you want to have done, what materials you want to use, and specifications for any fixtures, finishes, and appliances. Once you have this plan, start talking to contractors to get estimates and formal bids. Ask around for local contractor recommendations at your local hardware store, or go online and read contractors’ reviews (but take these with a grain of salt because they tend to skew toward people who are unhappy with a project versus those who were satisfied with the end result).
Be sure to interview at least three contractors while bearing in mind that you will be relying on this person to bring your project in on budget and on time. A good contractor will likely be very busy, so expect a waiting period for quality workmanship. Choose a contractor with experience in the type of job you require. Ask for proof of licensing and insurance along with any relevant licenses for subcontractors. Check contractor credentials with your local Better Business Bureau. Be clear about what work will be done by the contractor, and which parts will go to a subcontractor. Only sign a detailed contract, and be sure to get the proper permits for your project. Stay in close contact with the contractor to avoid errors and miscommunication. After all, a successful remodeling project depends on hiring a good contractor.
Take proper steps before hiring a contractor to prevent costly headaches later on. Start by
working with a professional architect or designer who can not only provide permit drawings, but also provide all the information a contractor will need to offer an accurate and realistic cost and time estimate. You’ll need to include details like finishes, fixtures, plumbing work, electrical installations, and possible millwork. Come up with a specifications list in advance in order to pick finishes, appliances, fittings, and fixtures that will fall inside your budget and meet your personal requirements. If you work with a professional architect or designer and have a complete set of plans and specifications for your project, as the pro for the names of a few builders to send your plans for pricing.
Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured. Check out a potential contractor’s previous work. They should be able to offer examples. When you interview contractors remember that you will be spending quite a bit of time working with this person. You need to feel you can trust them because unexpected extras are bound to come up. Make sure your contractor provides a timeline that they can stick to, and that works with your needs. Choose your contractor wisely for a successful outcome.
Be sure your general contractor is licensed and insured. It may be less expensive to hire an uninsured contractor, but consider the potential cost down the road. When you hire an insured contractor, they take on responsibility for the build and anything that happens at the worksite. In the event of a job-site injury or property damage during your remodeling project, a properly insured contractor will shield you from potentially catastrophic costs. Homeowners’ insurance policies cover property damage, but these policies have limitations. Be sure to hire a contractor that carries both contractor’s liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. A good general contractor takes responsibility for their reputation. Offering proof of both proper licensing and insurance is a sign of a contractor’s general reliability. Contractors must have a license in order to obtain insurance. Reliable contractors are likely to do an excellent job the first time in order to retain their license. Work that is not up to contract standards may lose a contractor their license. Be sure to ask for proof for insurance. Hiring a contractor with the proper insurance saves you money down the line in lots of different ways. Never be tempted by what looks like a bargain.
Recent reviews for Essex General Contractors
Professional and courteous treatment for both my wif and myself from first phone call to set up estimate - estimate process - job from beginning to end (including cleanup with completion of job).
We are really satisfied with the job that this group did for us (they completely re-sided out home with Hardie Board). It was a job that was made much more difficult by circumstances of bitter cold and inclement weather, but the crew was so good-natured,...
I have used Home Professionals Inc. for several projects around my home. Jim Hay is always friendly, professional and thorough with his project management. His workers are pleasant to have at my home, in addition to knowing their jobs and not needing cons...
I have nothing but good things to say about Home Professionals Inc. The crews were on time, polite, and completed my project in the time frame allowed. The quality of the work is definitely superior, and the price was reasonable. This company was a joy...
Excellent contractor! Just had them do a complete kitchen remodel and they were excellent to work with! The workmanship is terrific, with a great group of guys doing the work. The schedule was timely and communication excellent. Would recommend highly fo...
I have used Home Professionals many times over the last 10 years personally and as a real estate agent for my clients and every time I have been extremely pleased with the results. From drywall and painting to carpentry, flooring, electrical and plumbing...
Home Professionals is wonderful because of their breadth of knowledge and experience. They can be counted on for everything from small "handy-man" jobs to major remodeling projects. You can count on them to stand by their work and be there when you need...
Quality of work was to a very high standard. The personnel were very professional in the quality of their work and their attitude toward the homeowner. When they finished the work areas were spotless.
They are fantastic!!! Truly professional in what they do.
Jim and his crew are attentive to detail, reasonable rates and have solved many issues within my home that other contractors were stumped by. I recommend them for the quality of their workmanship in addition to their customer service. Having a professio...
My HOA wanted me to paint the shutters on my townhouse so I went to Home Professionals to help me with this task. I've used them previously for other HOA related tasks and I've always been happy with their work. They have always promptly given an estima...
They remodeled my 20 year old Bathroom. Beautiful Job. Quality work. The crew was great, friendly and neat. They cleaned up every day and got the job done quickly.
I have used Home Professionals many times over the last 10 years personally and as a real estate agent for my clients and every time I have been extremely pleased with the results. From drywall and painting to carpentry, flooring, electrical and plumbing...
Skillful, efficient, there are several superlative adjectives that can well describe their service. They certainly live up to their name. I can't recommend them highly enough. Charles Kilbourne Upper Marlboro, Md.
My wife and I were looking to finish our basement, which is almost 2,000 square feet, and we consulted with 5 different contractors. After a month of interviewing all the contractors, we selected Eugene's company, Glorem LLC. His prices were competitive...
Fantastic! You will not find a better contractor anywhere. Period. They are hardworking. Their workmanship is second to none. They are professional. They are punctual. They make sure everything is done right. They are fair. They are as perfect as ...
Eugene from Glorem LLC and project manager Tim were absolutely fantastic. They completed my finished basement which included a bedroom and a full bathroom. My wife and I are extremely happy with the quality of work and really happy with the total experien...
GloRem LLC remodeled our lower level and (3) bathrooms. They did incredible work and were excellent communicators. I was especially impressed by their access to materials and knowledge and skill of all of the trades as well as follow up. We trusted the...
Glorem LLC owner, Eugene finished my basement on time and quality was astonishing. Employees were very professional and reliable. I got few quotes ranging from reputed company and friends recommended locally operated companies. But Glorem quote was the be...
GloRem owned by Eugene is the best contracting company I have hired so far. They were super efficient, responsive, detail oriented and accommodating. They renovated a large commercial office space for me. Everything was done in a timely manner and to my s...
I cannot recommend Glorem highly enough. After what was a catastrophic flood in our basement, and a host of contractors offering to provide us with very little in return for a whole lot of money- Glorem was a blessing. Eugene understood the difficult and ...
Like others - can't recommend highly enough. GloRem was the easy choice for us. They were responsive and professional from start to finish. There website gave us a great idea of the quality of their work whereas many others had very limited information. T...
I consider myself lucky to have found Glorem to renovate the master bathroom. Glorem is a very well run company, Eugene, the owner, came the same day I called him and started the project at the beginning of February this year. Excellent craftsmanship, go...
The overall experience we had in dealing with this company was exceptional. We knew right from the start they were professional and that we were going to end up with a great space. The communication was clear from day one and they knew exactly what we wan...
Evgeny and his team did a great job with our basement project. Tim our project manager was great to work with. Highly recommend Glorem for their workmanship!
Late Spring my wife and I wanted to finish our 1,800 square feet basement. After considering five contractors for our basement remodel, we easily decided to go with Eugene/ Glorem. I read all the online positive reviews about Eugene /Glorem (aka Basemen...
We could not have been happier with the results of the basement remodel by GloRem. What sold us on GloRem was the layout that Eugene created and the detailed quote he provided. We knew exactly what we were getting and what the costs would be if we decide...
We had a great experience having our basement built by Eugene, Viktor and team.They were very professional and responsive about the design options and any changes we have requested. They even obliged our design change request after the project has started...
We couldn't be happier with our finished basement! The GloRem team was great to work with throughout the entire process, making sure we were on the same page every step of the way! We appreciated their attention to detail and commitment to giving us exact...
Dear Mr. Stanley, I am writing to you to convey how very pleased I am with the recent completion of my basement. In addition to the final product, I am delighted with the process and people involved from beginning to end. Your project manager, Moe Espos...
They were very helpful and did amazing work !
My bathroom remodel is beautiful. The tile work in the shower is exactly how we pictured it would be. I was referred to Chesapeake from a friend of mine who used them in the past and we are so glad we decided to use them.
Project went smoothly and we were very happy with the final product.
We had new hardwood floors and custom built shelving installed at our home. The craftsmanship was perfect and they were very detail oriented.
Chesapeake Energy Homes completed several large projects for us and we could not be happier with the outcome!!!! The professionalism and quality of work were second to none. We hired Chesapeake Energy Homes to complete a whole home remodel including a lar...
How do I know I am getting a fair price for General Contractor Services work in Essex?
Every General Contractor Services job has different requirements. Remember that the price will differ depending on the scope of your project. However, that doesn't mean you have to go in blind. Check out our tips for getting a fair price for Essex work from General Contractorsbelow:
- Talk to a few different General Contractors and ask for quotes to compare. We have around 50 professionals and companies in Essex for you to compare.
- Before contacting a company, check out the ratings and reviews from previous customers to learn what others have paid, how long the General Contractors took on the job, and how satisfied they were.
Who should I hire if I need General Contractor Services in Essex?
Right now there are about 50 companies in and around Essex ready to help you with your general contractor services project.
Below we've listed a few of the top General Contractors on Porch:
- Elliott Construction & Remodeling Inc.
- Creative Deck Designs Inc
- Cameo Construction
What should I check for once my General Contractor in Essex has finished working?
Every general contractor services project is going to have different results, but here are a few things to check for once any general contractor services company has told you they've finished the job:
- Obviously you want to do a visual inspection. Even if you're unfamiliar with general contractor services work, this gives you the opportunity to ask questions (even basic ones like, what did you do?).
- Ask the general contractor to describe what they did. Whether your general contractor services project was a repair job or a building job, have them run you through what was done.
- Compare the description provided on your general contractor services project estimate to the work completed. Did the professional do what was promised?
- Request that the general contractor do a follow-up visit to check on the work. Most professionals are willing to do this, especially if you ask them.
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