Home repairs can be expensive, and if not properly done, can cost more money in the long run too. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find someone who can do the work well and not charge far too much.
Step #1: Find several people or companies to give you a bid. Not only will this allow you to see the huge diversity of prices and quality, but it will give you a feeling of what type of company you want to work with. If you ask questions, you will also get a really good idea of how the work will be done and what is involved. The more educated you are about the process, the better choice you can make. There are several resources you can go to in order to find a good list of people to choose from.
Friend referrals—If you have a friend or family member who has had similar work done in the past, ask them who did it and call them for a bid.
Real Estate Agent—Real estate agents are generally very familiar with the workers in the area, the quality, and the cost. Ask an agent who has been in business for many years and they should be able to give you the name of at least one person who does the work you are looking for.
Home Warranty Company—Home warranty companies have had dealings with and have a list of reasonably priced, trusted people who do most types of home repair. Give them a call and see if you can find out who they use for the type of work you need.
Contractor referral—Contractors get to know each other, and often must work together to get a job done. For example, if you have someone you trust who does roofing, they will likely know someone who does carpentry and air conditioning. A good general contractor will also have a solid list of resources of people who do all types of home improvements and repairs.
Insurance company—An insurance company can be an excellent source of referrals. They will have a list of general contractors that they have worked with and trust.
Step #2: Ask questions and do further research on each of the companies and the work needed before and after they come.
Research the companies by checking with the Better Business Bureau, your state’s licensed contractor website, and by typing the company name into the internet and seeing if you can find any reviews. When the company comes out to give you a bid, ask them about anything negative you may have found out to see if they can clear it up to your satisfaction. Let them know that they are one of several companies you are having bid on the job and you may even mention the names of the other companies to see if they can tell you the advantages of using their company as opposed to the competitor. Make sure to get in writing all price quotes, promises, and warranties. Also, make sure you know what percentage of the payment is due up front and whether you can pay it with a credit card. Find out what materials will be used and if they are offering something special, make sure to get that in writing too.
As you are getting bids on your project, keep in mind that some companies may try to pressure you to make a decision right there on the spot without getting other bids or considering your options. If you feel this type of pressure, you are likely dealing with a salesperson and not an actual worker. The advantage here is that if you like the terms and warranty of the project, usually companies who can afford a salesperson, can also afford to lower the price a bit if you ask. Just don’t feel pressured to commit to any job while the bid is being made.
If using a licensed contractor, also make sure to check on the status of their license, bond, and insurance. Making sure that these things are in order will save you time and money in case your job is not completed in the way you agreed. Checking the status of insurance the contractor has is extremely important. Unless your contractor has it, if they or one of their workers is injured on your property, you could be held liable.
After they leave, research the products or materials recommended for the job online, but make sure that the situations are comparable. For example, if you live in Michigan, you may not want to agree with a roofing material and application recommended for an Arizona home.
If you find something questionable about the materials or method the worker intends to use to make your repairs, tell them directly your concerns and see if their answer satisfies you. Although it can be uncomfortable, asking someone why they use the materials and method they use is an extremely helpful way of finding out how honest a person is and will give you good insight into how skilled they are.
Step #3: Negotiating the price and conditions. After getting 3 or 4 bids on your job, one company or person may come through as the clear winner. Likely though, there will be at least 2 that you could easily choose from. If the prices and conditions are quite different, it gives you an advantage. If you have decided you would like to use one company, but would like a better price or better materials or warranty, simply tell them that you really like their company, but that XYZ company is offering a better price, warranty, or materials and if they would consider matching it. Often, they will do something for you.
Paying with a credit card gives you the advantage of being able to get your deposit back if the work is not completed for any reason. If the company is small and does not accept credit cards, ask if you can delay payment until the job is done. Do not hire anyone who demands full payment up front and does not take a credit card.
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