Hiring a building contractorNot everyone can manage their own remodelling and major repairs. Most people lack the skill, tools, time and general know-how. There are many benefits to hiring a professional building contractor. When hiring a building contractor, it's important to know how to choose a reliable one. Use a business directory such as Yellow Pages to discover a wide selection of building contractors in Gauteng. Instead of simply hiring just any building contractor for your residential or commercial renovations, consider the factors below to help you choose a suitable firm or private contractor.How to choose a building contractoro Ask for references and portfolios - When you find seemingly suitable contractors, ask him or her for references and their portfolio. If they're reluctant to hand over information, don't sign a contract with them. Contractors who willingly hand over information are typically more trustworthy than those who don't because they're not afraid of what their previous clients have to say about them.Remember to ask the contractors' previous clients (references) about their skills, attitude and work ethics, allowing you to learn more about the person and whether they're specialists in their field of work. If your construction project is residential, including specific changes such as window fittings or roof renovations, ensure that you find a specialist capable of meeting your unique requirements. Specialists focus on a specific field, while a general building contractor divides their attention on all aspects.o Ask for estimates - Before hopping on board with a new building contractor for house renovations, it's important to obtain a cost estimate before signing the contract. Instead of finding an online price estimate or calculating it yourself, speak to the building contractor. Sometimes prices can be much higher than what you expect. This allows you to negotiate and prepare the amount.If your project is a large-scale commercial project, it's important to calculate each expense in comparison to the rest of the project's budget.o Price comparison - If you browse listings in a business directory such as Yellow Pages, it's easy to obtain listings of a large number of building contracting companies or private contractors in Gauteng. Use the details provided to contact a variety of contractors and discuss the rates of your project.It's also important to beware of contractors who charge very cheap rates as they may not produce good work owing to the use of low-quality material. Sometimes it's necessary to pay more for top-quality services.Only once you're confident that you've chosen a suitable contractor, make sure you both sign a contract. It's important to protect both parties to prevent one taking advantage of the other. If you need a building contractor in Gauteng for renovations or construction, browse a local business directory such as Yellow Pages to locate a wide selection of businesses.