North Star General Contractors

North Star General Contractors, Inc. is a General Contractor licensed in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. North Star General Contractors, Inc. has evolved from a carpentry services company established in 1988 into a multi-faceted General Construction Corporation, providing essential general construction services in three comprehensive categories:

(1) General Contracting

(2) Permit Processing

(3) Construction Consulting.

North Star’s general contracting experience is evidenced by the commercial additions, office build-outs, multi family and single family renovations and additions, site finishes, this company has performed. North Star is staffed with individuals who are experienced in all phases of construction. These multi-talented individuals have provided expert knowledge in all phases of project implementation, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical contracting, estimating, purchasing, cost control, scheduling and architectural design.

Licenses / Credentials:
• Washington, DC - General Contractor , Construction Manager
• Washington, DC - Home Improvement Salesman
• State of Maryland Contractors - Commercial Work, New & Vacant Homes

How to Shop for the Best Washington General Contractor

If you’re planning a new Washington home construction or major remodeling project, you’re going to need a general contractor to help you get the job done. After you have a set of plans and the financing is in place, your next step will be hiring the best Washington general contractor you can find. A general contractor works as the manager to oversee your entire project from preparing a building site to planning the exterior landscaping. This can include obtaining the required building permits, the hiring of subcontractors, maintaining precise bookkeeping records and scheduling on time delivery of materials.

Many people don’t have a clue where to start when it comes time to find a qualified Washington general contractor that they feel they can trust with their project. If they end up with a contractor they are unsure of, the entire project can make for a very stressful time and the homeowner worries constantly about the outcome. No matter if you are constructing a new home or working on a smaller interior remodeling project, you want to know that the Washington general contractor you hire is the best person for the job.

A Washington General Contractor: Putting Together Your List

You can look for a Washington general contractor just as you would any other contractor. Start by asking friends and neighbors if they can recommend a good contractor. Talk with your local building supply dealer or check online for listings of general contractors in your area. The phone directory might be another good option but you don’t necessarily need to choose the company with the biggest ad. While it’s true that such listings may represent a large established business, you may find that you’ll get more preferential treatment by working with someone with fewer clients.

Before you decide on any Washington general contractor, make a call to your local Better Business Bureau to see if he or the company he represents has had any complaints filed against them. Try to get specifics and ask how any complaints were handled by the contractor. Many complaints are simply a matter of miscommunication or a minor problem that was readily taken care of by the contractor. It’s important to remember that even a reputable Washington general contractor can get an occasional complaint but what’s important is how they handle them. On the other hand, a continuing list of complaints against a general contractor can mean there’s a serious problem with the contractor or his company.

It’s important that any Washington general contractor you consider hiring has the proper licenses and insurance. You can call or go online to check with the state licensing board to find out if a specific general contractor is listed. It’s also important that that they carry liability insurance and workers compensation to cover their employees.

Getting a Bid from the Washington General Contractors

After narrowing down your list of contractors, you’ll need to gather some estimates for the project, but keep in mind that you should only choose a select few. It can be costly for a Washington general contractor to prepare a well thought-out bid. Preparing a bid takes time away from existing projects or involves working after hours. By keeping the bidding process to just a select few, the general contractor knows he at least has a good chance of winning your contract. Too much competition and the best contractors may simply walk away because they have better things to do than spend time on a job they have a slim chance of getting.

A Washington general contractor will need some information before they can write up an accurate bid. They’ll need to understand the size of your project as well as the time frame for its completion. You should also provide each general contractor with an itemized list of what you want included in each bid. You don’t want just a total figure. You want to see a breakdown of what each component of the project will cost such as plumbing installation electrical wiring and wall finishing and you want a schedule of dates that will bring the entire project in under your planned date for completion. If possible, you might want to ask about the subcontractors that will be working on your project.

Choosing the Best Washington General Contractors for the Job

Once you’ve collected several bids, it’s time to start comparing them. When deciding on a Washington general contractor you’ll not only have to determine which bid is to your advantage financially but also which one is the best suited for your particular project. It’s possible that the general contractor with the most experience is your best choice, but it may be better to go with a contractor that’s newer to the business. They often want to establish a trustworthy reputation and work with people that will later recommend them. A Washington general contractor that is newer to the trade might be more thorough and go the extra mile to see that you are satisfied. But you need to be certain that he has been in the business long enough to properly take on your project.

The bottom line is that you want a Washington general contractor that provides the best quality for your budget as well as one you feel you can trust with your project. Don’t feel you have to choose the first general contractor you talk with or accept the lowest bid. While money is certainly a determining factor, it’s also important to realize that a Washington general contractor is someone you will need to establish a good relationship with, so there is a degree of chemistry involved. Remember that the Washington general contractor you choose holds the future of your home in his hands.

North Star General Contractors  -  1629 K st NW Suite 300  -  Washington , DC 20006  -  202-559-1441
Copyright 2011