Beware When Choosing a Contractor

Many people are wary of hiring a contractor to remodel their home based on 'horror' stories of contractors who swindle homeowners. Shawn Bowman of California Dream Builders is seeking to change the perception of general contractors.

(PRWEB) September 15, 2007 -- Shawn Bowman has heard the horror stories of the unscrupulous contractors doing substandard work on homes in your area. As a general contractor, Shawn Bowman has also felt the repercussions of such actions first hand.

Bowman, the owner of California Dream Builders, a Silicon Valley construction company, is on a mission to change the way the public perceives general contractors.

"I take pride in my work and I am passionate about what I do," Bowman said. "But because of a few bad apples in the basket, I am often stereotyped with the less honest contractors."

This year, Bowman took steps to change this image, at least for his company. He began the Sure Bid Proposal System, which nearly guarantees a project will be completed on time and for the price quoted before construction.

"At California Dream Builders, the only change in costs is due to unforeseen items such as dry rot, poor framing, wiring, or plumbing," Bowman. "But if we find these problems, we present them to the homeowner in writing along with all possible solutions."

Bowman states, "the key to a successful remodel is communication," and he takes several measures to ensure that his company meets this crucial requirement. At the beginning of each project, Bowman presents his clients with their projects 'Bible,' which contains all of the specifications for the project in straightforward, concise language. According to Bowman, it is this reference guide that sets the stage for a successful project because everything is spelled out and in one place. In addition, in order to keep his clients up to speed, Bowman meets with each homeowner on a bi-weekly basis to discuss the progress of their project and to address any concerns.

"The weekly project status meetings calmed our anxiety and made this substantially easier for us," said Lisa Stein, a California Dream Builders' client. "We felt we always knew the next steps and any questions or concerns were anticipated, which was very insightful and helpful."

Bowman's ultimate goal is to have all of his customers as satisfied as the Steins; he believes this is the only way to amend the stereotypical viewpoint of the contracting industry.

"There are good contractors out there," Bowman said. "Don't be afraid to ask for references and check credentials with the state. This can save a lot of future headaches."

Founded by Shawn Bowman in 1998, California Dream Builders is a Silicon Valley construction company specializing in custom home remodels. Bowman can be contacted at 408-588-1541.

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