Construction companies are always looking for ways to discern themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, Cardinal Construction, Inc. differentiates itself by implementing a unique estimation process that’s designed to provide clients with consistently accurate project estimates. “It takes us a little longer to submit a bid, but that extra time is worth it when we deliver on the estimate,” says co-owner Anthony Neto. “Also, if something unforeseen arises or the customer requests a change, we’ll stop and educate them on what’s happening. We’ll even give them the opportunity to seek other quotes if they don’t think our change order is fair.”

Cardinal Construction has been building, remodeling and restoring East Bay homes since 1983, handling everything from new construction and kitchen/bathroom remodeling projects to structural engineering and insurance restoration work. In order to offer the widest range of services possible, the company uses both architectural blueprints and CAD renderings when designing projects for customers. It’s also a cabinet dealer with long-standing relationships with several top manufacturers, including Wood-Mode, Elmwood, Medallion and Prestige.

Unlike design/build construction firms that insist on using their in-house architects and builders on every project, Cardinal Construction will work with customers’ own architects or designers if they prefer. “We can be full-service or we can just provide what the client wants,” explains Mr. Neto. “We’ve been in business for almost 30 years, so we know how to customize a project in terms of materials, options and designs. We bring our wealth of industry knowledge and experience to every job.”

Make sure your construction contract is as detailed as possible. The most important part of any construction project is a well-written contract that clearly defines the rights and responsibilities of the respective parties, which in turn helps avoid disputes that may arise over payment or performance issues. To get the most out of your contract, consider the following tips:

• Make sure the contract includes the contractor’s name, address, phone number and license number (if applicable), as well as approximate start and completion dates.
• A detailed list of materials should be included in your contract, with information such as size, color, model, brand name and product.
• Study the design plans carefully. Approve and identify them in the contract before any work begins.
• Known as the “Right of Recision,” federal law requires a contractor to give you written notice of your right to cancel a contract within three business days of signing it without penalty, provided it was solicited somewhere other than the contractor’s place of business or appropriate trade premises.
• Make sure financial terms are spelled out in the contract. Total price, payment schedule and any cancellation penalties should be clear.
• A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year should be written into the contract. The warranty must be identified as either “full” or “limited,” and the name and address of the party that will honor the warranty (contractor, distributor or manufacturer) must be identified. Make sure the time period for the warranty is specified.
• A binding arbitration clause is a good inclusion in the event of a disagreement. Arbitration may enable you to resolve disputes without costly litigation.
• Never sign an incomplete contract. Always keep a copy of the final document for your records.

Anthony Neto, co-owner of Cardinal Construction, Inc. in Pleasanton, advises against paying a contractor a large deposit upfront. “Right now, solvency is a big issue with contractors, and some are out there taking huge deposits. It’s important to remember that there are laws that regulate exactly what a contractor can take upfront. In California, deposits are limited to 10 percent of the estimated cost of the project, with a maximum of $1,000.”

Make sure the contractor’s insurance coverage meets all the minimum requirements, and ask to see a copy of their insurance certification to verify coverage. According to Mr. Neto, you should also ask to be identified as an additional insured name on the contractor’s liability policy. “That gives you added protection—if anything goes wrong of if one of the employees gets injured, you can’t be sued. Not every contractor does it, but it provides you with additional value, so it’s a good idea to ask.”

Q: How long will my job take to complete?

A: We provide a detailed schedule within about a week of signing the contract. Our lead time to start a project is usually about two weeks, but it’s subject to the availability of the desired materials.

Q: Do you work straight through to completion?

A: Yes, almost always. The only time we have downtime is when materials aren’t available. But our usual practice is to be onsite every day until the job is done.

Q: Do you operate a clean worksite?

A: Construction is inevitably messy, but we do the best we can. We set up containment barriers to keep dust under control, and we spend the last 30 minutes of each day cleaning up the site.

Q: What’s your payment schedule?

A: We’ll set up an individualized schedule at the start of the project based on milestones and work completed. We don’t require large, upfront deposits.

Q: Can you get plans approved by the city and acquire the necessary permits?

A: Yes, that’s a standard part of our service.