Builders, architects and remodelers have a heavy responsibility in choosing house framing contractors. House framers, particularly ones chosen to build complicated architectural home frame designs, must have experience and a proven track record.
Ask for references when choosing house framing contractors. Written references with photos showing good quality work by framing contractors speak volumes. Good house framers usually bid a job complete, not “cost plus.” Cost-plus wording usually means that if they run into an unforeseen problem, extra charges apply. Good, experienced framing contractors know what price they can do the job for.
Things to consider when choosing contractors for residential framing jobs:
1: Ask for proof of liability and workman’s compensation insurance and obtain copies.
2: Hire a house framing company that has a crew that’s big enough to handle the job needed.
3: Get several different bids from framing contractors. The cheapest bid on framing jobs is not always the best.
4: Hiring additional roof framing contractors for whole-house construction is not usually necessary. Most good residential framing contractors do the roof system also.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Residential framing contractors reside nation-wide and are readily available to frame
Whether you need only roof framing contractors for remodeling jobs or house framers to do the whole system, ServiceMagic.com can help find the right crew in any location across the country.
I recommend: Find pre-screened
framing contractors by describing your need.
Buy the best bid on framing jobs by comparing estimates
Make comparisons on framing job bids by looking carefully to see what is included in the bid. Most framing contractors bid labor only, assuming that the builder provides materials.
I recommend: Get four estimates to compare from a nationwide network that includes more than 20,000 qualified framing contractors at BetterFramingContractors.com.
Find answers from the Framing Contractors Association
Talk with experienced framing contractors and get your questions answered for more confidence in choosing contractors. It's a great opportunity to network.
I recommend: Contact a member by phone or email at the Framing Contractors Association members’ website.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Good communication is vital in successful dealings with framing contractors. Know that they understand what you want and you can understand what they are telling you.
- In higher-end priced homes, many builders prefer everything to be hand-nailed rather than nailed with the more commonly used modern air-gun nailers. If you have a preference, ask upfront what nailing method the house framers use.
- Good, experienced residential framing contractors ask to look at the house plans. They usually also check to make sure the foundation is square and everything is level before they bid on residential framing jobs.
- For a remodeling job that only requires roof framing contractors, be sure to specify that you don't need a wall-system bid.
The official source of Framing Contractors is the Framing Contractors page at Business.com
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