Many homeowners in Cincinnati, Ohio need a licensed and insured General Contractor, but don't know how to find one. In this blog post, we'll discuss 5 ways to find the best General Contractor for your project.

1. Google Search "General Contractor in Cincinnati"

This may sound obvious, but it's a good start. This is not the only step to take, because you'll probably be overwhelmed with the options. Look at their websites, look through the portfolios, and read their About Page. You'll get a sense for the General Contractor's style, taste, and approach from their site, so it's a great place to start.

For a little more information, check out this site about General Contractors.

2. Search "General Contractor, Cincinnati" in Angies List

If you don't know, Angies List is a great resource to find General Contractors. They post reviews from actual customers, so you'll be able to hear first hand how a customer's experience went with that particular contractor. And the company's cannot change the reviews, so what you see is legit.

Angie's List provides a helpful article here as well.

3. Look up General Contractors on Google Maps

Sometimes an overlooked search engine for finding a General Contractor is Google Maps. But don't make the mistake of missing out here. Often times, the Maps listing can give you more information than the actual search engine can.

4. Stay away from other apps!!!

Houzz, HomeAdvisor, The Blue Book, Yellow Pages, and the list goes on and on. These sites get paid by the General Contractor to list their advertisements, so it's not a very accurate picture of who is the best General Contractor for your project. These places can become overcrowded and noisy, and might make your search more difficult.

5. Give them a call

Now, this one may sound old school, but here's the deal. You're going to be having this company come into your home, potentially doing extensive work on your most valuable, precious asset. If you don't connect with them on a personal basis, chances are you're not going to want to work with them. No commitments here, just a phone call.

1. They're Busy

If the General Contractor you're speaking with says "Sure thing, I can get started this afternoon," chances are they've got time on their hands for a reason. You want to know the General Contractor you're working with is in demand. Most General Contractors get started within 5-7 business days.

2. They're Responsive

Although they're busy, they reply to you quickly. You shouldn't have to wait any longer than 12-24 hours at max to hear back from them. If they aren't responsive, that's a sign they're probably not very organized, and chances are they won't be very responsive during your project.

3. They're Clear

Clarity in communication is key with your General Contractor. They should be well spoken or, if through e-mail or text, use legible, understandable written communication. Their quotes should make sense and be easily understandable. If you're getting confused now, you'll definitely be confused later.

4. They're Insured

You want to know that if something happens on the job site, they have insurance to cover it. This may go without saying, but double check to make sure whomever you're working with is properly insured for the job they're doing. It's a nightmare if they're not.

5. They're Licensed

We'll let this article do the talking for us here. Angie's List's article about working with an unlicensed general contractor does a great job listing out the nightmare this can be.

6. They Have Great Reviews

Unlike buying a product on Amazon, 3.5 stars won't cut it when it comes to a new addition on your home, an extensive Kitchen Remodel, or anything else that has to do with your home. You want 5 stars across the board (maybe 4.5 because, let's face it, some people are just unreasonable).

7. They Have Referrals (Dozens of them)

If when you ask your General Contractor for a referral, they give you their brother, their Mom, and their Aunt's phone number, RUN FOR THE HILLS! You want your general contractor to have more referrals than you could possibly contact. And do yourself a favor and actually contact them. You'd be surprised how willing they are to talk with you.

8. They're Reasonably Priced

This does not mean "they're the cheapest." There are countless horror stories of people going with the lowest priced General Contractor only to find out the hard way how bad of an idea that is. This also doesn't mean "they're the most expensive." Some General Contractors just flat out overcharge. It means their quote is reasonable.

9. They Have a Professional Website

Without a website, they probably don't take their business seriously. And you can learn a lot about a General Contractor from their website. Look at their portfolios, their About Us section, their list of services. You want to get a good vibe from their site.

There it is. The top 9 things to look for in a General Contractor.

If you have more questions, please feel free to contact us!

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