June 9, 2023 Planning
Hiring contractors for your home addition on Oahu can be tricky. What’s the most effective method to find and hire the right professional?
Finding the right contractor can make all the difference in your home addition timeline, budget, and quality. Considering the number of top-quality contractors on the island, choosing the right one for your home addition may seem overwhelming. Follow the guide below to make your choice easier.
What qualities should you look for in your contractor for a home additions or other major remodeling construction projects on Oahu? We’ll tell you.
How you can Find the Best Contractor on Oahu for Your Construction Project
Here are things that you can do to ensure your home addition is on-time, on-budget and what you expected. This is your guide to hiring contractors for home additions on Oahu.
Research Contractors that have Experience with Home Additions on Oahu
Did a friend or family member recently hire a contractor for their home addition on Oahu? Start your research by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or neighbors who have recently completed similar projects on the island. Ask candid questions about the contractor and their experience with the project. Were the contractors on-time? Easy to work with? On-budget? Research contractors that have experience with home additions on Oahu specifically.
You can also rely on local publications and review sites. On Oahu, the community is smaller and a few hours of research can make it easier to weed out the builders or contractors you want to avoid. Browse through local directories, review websites like the Better Business Bureau or BBB, and online forums to gather a list of potential contractors that look positive. Homeworks is a Design+Build Contractor with decades of experience building home additions, ADU’s, and new homes on Oahu. We encourage you to check out publications like Hawaii Home + Remodeling magazine. Local readers voted Homeworks Hawaii the best builder on the island in 2023. We are confident that you will find HomeWorks Hawaii is one of the best home addition contractors on Oahu.
Verify your Contractor’s Licensing and Insurance Status
A licensed contractor is a legitimate professional in the building industry. Would you let a doctor work on you without a license or insurance? No. It is important to make sure the contractors you are considering have the necessary licenses and insurance because your home is one of the biggest investments in your life. Checking current licensing with the Hawaii State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs or DCCA is simple and quick. Also, be sure that your potential contractors have liability and workers’ compensation insurance by requesting confirmation of coverage. Uninsured contractors can expose you to serious financial risks if personal injury or property damage occur. A good contractor or builder will maintain licensing and insurance as a basic requirement for doing business.
Evaluate Experience and Expertise
How long has your potential contractor been in business on Oahu? Is your contractor or builder have any specialties or additional certifications? If you are adding a home addition or ADU for aging parents, make sure the contractor has experience on Oahu with these types of projects. In this case, a CAPS or certified-aging-in-place certification really comes in handy. Look for a track record of successful home addition projects on Oahu, preferably within the same style or scope as your desired project. Every home addition by Homeworks Hawaii is custom-built and designed. Experienced contractors bring valuable knowledge, skills, and insight which can significantly enhance the quality of your home addition or remodeling project. Look for experience and expertise building on Oahu.
Check References and Portfolio
Ask potential contractors for references and take the time to reach out to their previous clients. Inquire about the quality of work, adherence to timelines and budgets, and overall satisfaction with the contractor’s performance. A simple question like, “would you hire them again?” goes a long way. Request to see your potential contractor’s portfolio of completed projects. This gives you the chance to evaluate their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and design sensibilities. It also gives you an idea of whether or not they have finished projects like yours. If your contractor has never built a home addition, it’s not a good idea to be their first client.
Transparent Communication is a Must
Effective and transparent communication is vital for a successful working relationship if you are considering building a home addition or even a simple renovation on Oahu. During the initial consultations, assess their responsiveness, willingness to listen, and how well they understood your plan. Make sure they understand their own contract well enough to explain the details to you. If they aren’t willing to explain the terms of the contract, or won’t put details in writing, run. Clear and open communication channels, both verbal and in-writing are a must. This standard will help ensure that your expectations are met and any issues are addressed promptly and professionally.
Obtain Detailed Written Estimates
Request detailed written estimates from at least three different contractors. You will gain a better understanding of how they operate from this first simple request. Were they late? Items missing? Were they unable to explain their estimate clearly? To be clear, estimates should include itemized lists of materials, labor costs, project timelines, and any potential additional charges or contingencies. By comparing these estimates, you can gain insight into the contractor’s pricing structure and determine which aligns best with your budget and desired outcomes. Be sure to compare apples to apples and ask about quality of the materials so the estimates can be consistently compared.
Check for Permits and Compliance
Oahu has specific building codes and permit requirements that must be adhered to when undertaking a home addition or any renovation project. Reputable home addition contractors on the island are well-versed in these regulations and they can assist in obtaining the necessary permits. Homeworks Hawaii is a full-service design/build company and their team obtain permits for all projects and take it as their responsibility and obligation to understand local codes and demonstrate a commitment to compliance. If your contractor places the obligation on you to obtain the permits or avoids compliance with the law, this is a red flag. You absolutely want to hire a contractor with experience obtaining permits on Oahu.
Hiring the Right Home Addition Contractors On Oahu
Hiring the right contractor for your home addition or ADU building project on Oahu is key to getting your project done right and protecting your investment. Streamline your search and pare down options with smart research. Hire a contractor with the right experience, expertise, and communication skills. Keep in mind that hiring a trustworthy and reputable contractor lays the groundwork for a successful, stress-free home addition project, so check references, insurance, and licensing.