Tips for hiring a framing contractor

If you’ve built a house or paid for one before you know that the most expensive part of that build is the framing. Between the materials and labor hours needed to frame up a house or addition the costs add up quickly. Not only that, improperly created frame jobs can cause a structure to be built compromised or drive up costs because of inconsideration in the design process.

To save money and ensure the highest quality home build, choosing a good framing contractor is an important part of your decision making process. Here are a few tips on how to make sure you are choosing a good framing contractor for your next project.

Many general contractors subcontract out the framing work. Unfortunately, when the work is subcontracted out this means that the quality is not as monitored as if they were self-performing the work. We recommend working with a general contractor who self-performs the framing, or interviewing and hiring a full blown framing contractor for your next project.

By hiring a framing contractor directly you can be certain of the quality and speed, since that is what they do, and you can be sure you like them during the estimate collection/interview process.

A good framing contractor usually has crews who have been with him/her for years. Ask about his crew, how long they’ve worked there, their experience.

Another tip is to ask if they’d framed any jobs in your area. The best framing contractors have worked on some of the biggest buildings in town  - but nobody would ever know it. If a framing contractor has worked on complex projects around town then your project will not stretch their skill.

And finally, make sure your framing contractor is licensed and insured. Framing is extremely dangerous. Large quantities of wood and swinging hammers, often at heights, make it a breeding ground for accidents. Don’t bring on a framing contractor who is not insured - at all. It’s too much risk for you even on the smallest project. If you are nearby on jobsite days you should see the correct PPE (personal protective equipment) which includes hard hats, steel toed boots, and harnesses anytime they go over 10 feet off the ground. 

Hiring the right framing contractor can have a huge impact on your project in terms of the financial outlay and the quality of the build. Since the house framing is what the rest of the trades and finishing touches interact with for the duration of the project, hiring an expert can save your other trades hours maneuvering ducting and wire throughout the house. It’s important and practical for you to thoroughly vet your general contractor for their experience in framing, and if they have none, to find a framing contractor you can trust.

Eagle Construction is a self-perform framing contractor. You can learn more about their experience and skill by visiting the framing page (https://www.eaglenola.com/framing) or signing up for an in person estimate of your next project.