The residential construction business continues to boom, and because of this, many people have seemingly come out of the woodwork to offer their services for home remodeling and custom home builds. Some of them are actually licensed general contractors, while others are simply posing as such.
Before taking on a major home remodel or custom home build, you absolutely need to do your homework with regard to the general contractor you hire. At the very least, you need to hire someone with a current and active general contracting license. Run far away from anyone who tells you that a license isn’t necessary or that they are “working under someone else’s license.”
That being said, a general contractor’s license should be the absolute bare minimum qualification for who you hire! Once you have compiled a short list of general contractors for your Long Beach residential remodel or custom home build, that’s when you really need to start investigating.
The Long Beach construction company or general contractor you hire should have substantial experience with major home remodels or ground-up builds. By a “major” remodel, we are talking about projects that involve adding square footage, moving walls, relocating plumbing and electrical, and/or the replacement of any major building systems.
What you don’t want to do is hire a company or individual who mainly does “fix-it” type projects or minor home improvement projects. You want a general contractor who has extensive experience working with and managing the various trades that will be involved with your Long Beach residential remodel or custom home build, such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC professionals, and others. At Scott McKee Construction, we have an extensive network of quality subcontractors we can call on to help us complete major home remodels and custom home builds in Long Beach. We hold all of our subcontractors to the same high standards to which we hold ourselves, so all the work done meets or exceeds your expectations.
You also want a general contractor who knows how to work with the Long Beach Building and Safety Department to obtain the proper permits. A contractor who has only ever acquired permits through an over-the-counter review (as opposed to submitting plans for a full review, which is the necessary process for larger residential projects in Long Beach), may not be the best fit for your project. Even worse is a contractor who advises you to forego the permitting process!
At Scott McKee Construction, we have decades of experience getting plans approved by the City of Long Beach. We know what level of detail they are looking for in the plans we submit and how to keep the process moving forward. We make sure your project is properly permitted and ensure that everything is completed according to current building codes. Not only will this help keep you and your family safe, but it will also be advantageous should you ever decide to sell your home down the road. Undertaking a major home remodel or custom home build in Long Beach can be an exciting, although lengthy process. Be sure to work with a construction company that is experienced and that you can work well with to achieve your vision! Contact us at Scott McKee Construction to learn more.
