When you walk on a construction site, you usually see workers with shovels and bulldozers pushing dirt around. However, what you don’t see is the amount of work that goes into making your new home or office safe. Anything can happen when you dig up soil, and that’s why it’s so important to have a reliable contractor building your new home or office. A quality contractor will know about the different codes and regulations in place and how they affect your project. They will also be familiar with the different types of ground-disturbing machinery and heavy-duty vehicles that are needed to complete the job.The construction site is often the first impression potential buyers or tenants have of your property, so it’s important that everything is in working order and that it’s up to code. Unfortunately, if you do not check the contractors history and find out what they have done in the past, you may end up having problems with your home if something happens. You want to make sure that your contractor has the necessary permits for your project, they are insured for all contingencies and they have the correct license for the work they are doing. Some of the most common things to check when hiring a contractor for site work include:
What is the permit process?
One of the first things you should do is check with the city or county to find out what permits will be needed for your project. For example, if you are renovating a house, you will need to get a demolition permit to tear down the existing structure. If you are building a new house, you will need to get a building permit for your house. If you are renovating an existing building to make it into a new office, you will need to get a permit to add a new structure to the property. If you are constructing a new building on a piece of property that does not currently have a building on it, you will need to get a zoning permit to make sure that the building is in compliance with the current zoning regulations.If you are doing any excavation work – such as when you are digging a hole for a foundation – you will need a permit for that as well. The permit will differ depending on the type of excavation and the size of the project. The permit will also change depending on where you live. If you are building a new home or an addition to your home, you will need to get a permit from the city or county where the property is located.
What licenses do contractors need?
Building contractors need to follow several different sets of laws and regulations. They are often referred to as the “red-tape” that must be dealt with when you are building or renovating a home. One of the first things you will want to do is look at the contractor’s license. The contractor’s license will tell you which government agency regulates them and what they are authorized to do. Contractors that have a license from the state are held to higher standards than unlicensed contractors. It also shows that the builder is following the law and knows how to do the work. You should also check the contractor’s insurance – the company should have workers compensation insurance and a general liability insurance policy. If you are doing the work yourself, you need only workers compensation insurance. A general liability policy can also help protect your property in the event of an accident.
What to do about the site’s utilities?
When you are building or renovating a home, you will want to make sure that the utilities are turned off at the beginning of the project. This includes the water, power and gas. Utility companies usually have a process to turn the utilities off and then back on again once the work is completed. If you are doing the work yourself, you will want to make sure that you contact the utility company and let them know that you will be working in the area and to shut off the utilities.If you are building a new home or an addition, make sure that you have the utilities turned on before the foundation is poured. It is important to get this correct so that you do not have to tear up the foundation later.
What to do about the site’s soil?
The soil is like the foundation of your home. If you have poor quality soil, it can affect your house for years to come. The best way to find out what type of soil you have is to have it tested. This will not only tell you the type of soil but also the amount of water it can retain. If you are building a new home, you will want to have the soil tested before you break ground so that you can have it replaced if necessary. You will also want to have the soil tested before you plant trees or other plants that have deep roots. If the soil is not correctly tested, you can run into problems with your house. If you have to have the soil replaced, this can add to the cost of your project.Another way to make sure you have the best soil possible is to have it properly graded before you build the house. Grading the soil ensures that it is level and leveled out for the foundation. If the soil is not properly graded, it can lead to problems with the foundation of your home.
Warnings and safety first!
As you can see, the construction process can be quite hectic and dangerous. There are many things that can go wrong and mistakes that can be made. It is important to take things slowly and pay attention to detail. If you have a quality contractor on your team, they will make sure that everything is done correctly and safely. Make sure you have a thorough and detailed contract that you and your contractor both sign. You can find sample construction contracts online. They should include the cost of the project, the start and end dates, the materials that will be used and any contingencies in case something goes wrong.You should also make sure that the workers have the proper protective gear at the ready. Make sure they are using the right tools and following the safety procedures outlined by the contractor. You should also make sure that you know where the construction site is at all times. You never know when you may need to get back there and you want to make sure you have easy access to the site.