QwikBids Investigates
With the recent upswing of people purchasing foreclosed homes, homeowners are finding that many of these deals come with an immense amount of work and are often experiencing trouble with contractors eager for a quick buck. To find the best value for the costs with contractors, keep these five things in mind:
- Determine what value really means to you – is it all about cost?
- It often depends on the work being done – some require license(s) and insurance
- Even the small projects must be licensed – it’s worth the cost to hire a licensed contractor because you could get into trouble for skipping this step
- Other things to consider – do you want someone within close proximity so they can come by quickly if needed?
- Do you want someone who’s been in business for a long time or are you willing to work with someone newer?
- The three most important questions to ask a service provider before hiring them:
- Ask for at least three references
- Ask for credentials – how were they trained and do they have the right certifications?
- Can they guarantee the work?
- How do you know if you’re really saving money?
- Get estimates from at least three comparable contractors (meaning comparable in value). Don’t compare apples to oranges
- Find out what materials are being used – are they the same quality from contractor to contractor?
- Get an agreement ahead of time – never assume!
- Everything must be in writing – don’t do anything over the phone or a handshake. This protects both the customer and the service provider
- An ethical service provider will always agree to a contract even if they don’t supply it themselves.
- What does it really mean when a contractor tries to sell you an “OEM” part?
- It was the original part that was in the equipment when you ordered it from the manufacturer
- A non-OEM part is generic and therefore, not always the same quality
- Non-OEM parts are fine to use as long as you’re aware of the difference upfront – ask the contractor to explain this to you
To request multiple bids for the products and services you need – at no cost – while remaining anonymous. Go to QwikBids today and make service providers compete for your business, and give back to the community while you’re at it!