Home Improvement: 5 Tips To Save You Money When Choosing A Contractor
For those who are building or renovating a house, the cost can be enormous. This is especially true when it comes to the contractor. However, there are a few ways to save money on the cost of the contractor and the project if you know where to look.
Get more than one estimate
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not getting multiple estimates. Always get at least three separate quotes so that you can easily compare overall pricing.
Ask for a breakdown of costs
When getting your quotes, asking for itemized estimates can help save you thousands. Ask for separate written estimates for permits and licensing, construction materials, labor, and any other costs the contractor expects to incur.
Inquire about references
You should always ask the contractor for at least three references for jobs similar to yours. You will want to ask pointed questions regarding work quality, timeliness of labor, and the overall cost. You should always inquire whether the work went over budget and if so, by how much.
Inquire about materials
Contractors tend to have relationships with a single building supplier. Inquire where the contractor gets the materials and how much he gets as a discount. Then visit competitive suppliers and work up several estimates. You can then choose the lowest estimate or return to the contractor’s preferred supplier and ask if they can beat the estimate. According to a Louisville roof installation company, it isn’t uncommon for a supplier to extend price cuts to keep a contractor’s business.
Offer to chip in on labor
As one final tip, for those of you who are handy, you can ask if costs would be any lower if you did some of the work yourself. Chipping in on the labor combined with the steps above is a great way to keep your contracting costs as low as possible.
While all the research involved above might seem time consuming, it’s worth it. Most contractors won’t mind, and they would do the same thing if it was their home.
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Category: Home Improvements
