Brick + Beam Detroit

How to Choose & Hire a Contractor

As you’re working on rehabbing your home, you might come to a project that’s too big to DIY or that you’d just prefer to have someone else do. But how do you pick and hire the right contractor for the job?

What we’ll cover in this class:

• Finding a contractor!
• Vetting a contractor-- the questions to ask and checking references/work samples
• Having options--How many bids should you get?
• Contracts

Who is this class for:
Are you currently working on a historic, or older, home? Are you a life-long Detroiter hoping to improve the home you’ve been living in? Are you a prospective first-time home buyer and looking in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park? Have you already been working on homes for some time, but want to brush up on your skills?

Brick + Beam classes are for building rehabbers of all levels. B+BD aims to support building rehab in Detroit by sharing knowledge, building talent, and providing access to the resources you need to get (or keep!) going.

Register here! 

Related Classes: 

We suggest taking this class as a pair with “How to Scope Your Repair Project” in November! A clear scope of work is essential to hiring a contractor! 

About the Facilitator:

Wesley A. Lawrence

Senior Project Manager for Project and Development Services, JLL

At JLL, Wesley A. Lawrence provides oversight of the design and construction process, and manages the day-to-day activities between the Client, Architect, and Contractor. Services also include coordination of voice / data cabling, fixtures, security system installation, interior and exterior upgrades. Mr. Lawrence is currently providing project management services for several projects on behalf of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mr. Lawrence has 20 years of experience in the fields of construction and project management operations. He is a member of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), U.S. Green Building Council, Project Management Institute, and Construction Managers Association of America. Mr. Lawrence also holds a General Contractor License, is a Certified Building Energy Professional, and has completed OSHA 30 hour Certification in Construction Safety.

About the Location:  

The Community House was built in the 1930's and is run by the North Rosedale Park Civic Association (NRPCA), a 501c3 nonprofit member organization that promotes the interests and welfare of North Rosedale Park residents, maintains park facilities for community use, advocated for neighborhood improvements and enforces building restrictions and ordinances within North Rosedale.

This event is apart of the NRPCA Workshop Series! See more events in the series at https://www.nrpca.org/workshopseries. 

THANK YOU!

Brick + Beam classes are made possible by Quicken Loans Community Investment Fund and the Knight Foundation.