The Essential Guide to Choosing the Perfect Contractor and Architect for Your Home Addition and new Construction Project in DMV area

The Essential Guide to Choosing the Perfect Contractor and Architect for Your Home Addition and new Construction Project in DMV area

Choosing the right contractor and architect for your home addition or new construction project in DMV area isn’t as easy as you might think. There are many contractors and architects out there that can complete your construction project. How do you choose the right one?

In this comprehensive guide, we will teach you how to research and compare contractors in Washington DC and Northern Virginia so that you can choose the best one. Cosmo Builders is one of the best full-service contractor and architect services in Northern Virginia, but don’t take our word for it. We will show you how to compare our services with others so that you can have confidence that you have made the right choice.

Define Your Project Needs

Before you can find the right contractor for your home addition or new construction in Washington DC or Northern Virginia, you must have an idea of your project needs. Are you building a new home? Does the property on which you want to build already have utility access? Do you already have a home design or plans in mind, or do you need an architect?

Are you building a home addition in the DMV area? Do you already know what you want for this home addition, or do you need an architect to help you define your vision?

For all construction projects in the DMV area, permits and zoning are required. It is important to work with a contractor that can obtain all of the necessary permits and zoning in Northern Virginia. Building permits in Northern Virginia by Cosmo Builders are always successful.

Determine the Scope of Work

Similar to defining your project needs, you need to determine the scope of work. This includes everything that is required for completing your construction project. It includes drawing up plans, getting permits, and actual construction. Will you need plumbing for your home addition in Fairfax or the surrounding area? Or will you only need electrical and structural work?

You will also want to determine if there are any specific details that you want to ensure are handled correctly in your home addition in Arlington. For example, if you want to ensure that the roof and siding match the rest of your home, this affects the materials and brands used in your project. Try to nail down as many details as you can before you start getting quotes and estimates.

Research and Gather Recommendations

Recommendations from friends and family are often the easiest way to find and choose a contractor and architect in the DMV area. However, not everyone knows someone who has had a new home built or had a home addition in Washington DC or Northern Virginia.

Google can be a good place to start, but a general Google search will return dozens of general contractors in the DMV area. How do you choose which ones to contact for a consultation and estimate? Keep in mind that the top results aren’t necessarily the best at what they do. Google relies on search engine optimization, and some companies spend more time on client satisfaction than earning Google search rank.

You can also search for companies using the Better Business Bureau’s website. The BBB allows you to search by category so that you can get a list of contractors in the DMV area along with their BBB rating. You can then click on each business to see details like reviews, complaints, and how long the business has been in operation.

Verify Credentials and Experience

The BBB is also a great way to verify credentials and experience of contractors that you are considering. You can search for a company name and get detailed information about the business. This includes how long they have been in business, which gives you an idea of the experience the contractor has in the area.

Cosmo Builders has been in business for 16 years and has an A+ BBB rating. We have two reviews on the site with a 5-star rating. You can see more details about Cosmo Builders on our BBB page.

Reviewing past work and contacting references is another way to verify credentials and experience. Good contractors in Northern Virginia will happily show you examples of their past work and provide references that you can contact for referrals. Cosmo Builders has a large body of work that we can access to give specific examples similar to your construction project in the DMV area.

Conduct Interviews and Consultation

Once you have narrowed down your options to a few contractors, you should request a consultation so that you can interview them and get a better understanding of their services. Consultations should not come with a cost. Cosmo Builders offers free consultations.

Some of the questions you might ask while interviewing contractors in the DMV area include:

• What services do you provide? What services do you farm out to subcontractors?
• How long will it take to complete the project?
• Can you stay within my budget?
• Do you have particular brands that you work with or can I choose from any brands?
• Do you do background checks on your workers?
• Do you guarantee your work?

Cosmo Builders provides everything for your home addition or new construction project in the DMV area, including architectural services, permit services, and construction. We work with a variety of brands to stay within your budget, and we will use whatever materials and brands you prefer. Our workers are safe for your family, and we guarantee our work with a new home addition warranty in Northern Virginia.

Obtain Detailed Proposals and Estimates

After the consultation and interview, ask the contractors you are considering to provide detailed proposals and estimates. Compare these carefully. The proposal should include things like a home construction warranty, time to completion, and budget. It should include materials to be used, and a detailed cost estimate.

When comparing proposals and estimates, it is important to look at more than just the bottom line. Price and budget are important, but so are things like permitting, zoning, and construction warranties.

Contractor License and Specialty Lookup

Before you choose a contractor, make sure they are licensed and insured. You can easily check the licensing and specialty of a contractor in the DMV area with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The contractor lookup feature on this website will give you detailed information about contractors so that you can make the right choice.

Architect Team Evaluation

The blueprints for your home addition or new construction project in Washington DC or Northern Virginia don’t just guarantee a successful project, they are also needed for successful permitting and zoning. Make sure that the architect you choose will be able to provide detailed plans and design assistance.

Cosmo Builders has in-house architects to design and plan your home addition or new construction project in the DMV area. We handle every aspect of your construction project, from start to finish.

Construction Crew and Professional Team Evaluation

Work with contractors that will introduce you to the construction crew that will be working on your project. It is easier to be comfortable with having workers in your home when you are able to meet them ahead of time. You can also ask the contractor for details of the experience and specialties of everyone who will be involved with building your home addition in Fairfax and the surrounding area.

Conclusion

Choosing the right contractor and architect for your home addition or new construction project in the DMV area is important for the success of the project. The more research you do, the more comfortable you will be with your contractor and architect.

Cosmo Builders is the best contractor for home additions and new construction in DC and Northern Virginia. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your free consultation and estimate.