Hiring a contractor can be a tricky job, especially when it comes to hiring someone who won’t take advantage of you. Though that may not happen often, it does happen! So, that’s why we’ve prepared this mini guide with tips for knowing just how to prepare before trusting someone to service your home.
"Fairness is not an attitude. It's a professional skill that must be developed and exercised." – Brit Hume
Understand How It Works
Whether you’re new to this business or even if you’ve hired a service before, it’s important to start by talking about markup. Most of the time, it is mistaken with profit, but they’re actually two different things.
Markup is what the provider needs to cover materials, transport, commissions, advertising, and whatever more overhead expenses they may have. Meanwhile, profit is what the business needs to maintain itself. According to research, the average profit cost for the best contractors companies is about 4%.
Do Your Research
In order to get through the services without any regrets, it’s good to do some research before actually closing a deal. That includes learning about how contractors charge, we’ve mentioned above about the markup and profit, but each contractor may charge differently.
For example:
Some may go with a 1.5 addition for markup (that means if the job you want done will be $5,000, that value will be multiplied for 1.5 giving you a total of $7,500) while others may go higher or lower.
In addition to that:
Try to find out the type of materials being used, make sure they’re good quality, and also make sure to ask all the questions necessary before hiring your contractor - especially if you’re following an indication. A background check is always important. Better to be safe than sorry after all.
Average Prices
This part is particularly important if you’ve never hired a service before. Once you find out the average prices for the most popular jobs done, you’ll be able to see whether or not you’re actually being charged fairly for what you need done. One of the most hired services is kitchen remodeling, which goes from around $10,000 to $25,000, depending on what you need done.
Basically:
Smaller jobs like painting walls, resurfacing counters, and installing backsplashes are less expensive, but if you’re looking to install hardwood floors or high-end appliances, be prepared to spend at least $17,000.
Meanwhile:
Another popular job is bathroom remodeling, which has a more reduced cost than kitchens, and usually stays within the $8,000 to $14,000 range - including the materials and replacement of all fixtures, such as the sink, toilet, shower, etc.
Of course, this is just average pricing so you have a vague idea of what to look for. Once you’ve settled on the job you want and how you want it done, you’ll be able to request an estimate and see if the prices match to the budget you’ve set up. Which brings us to our next point…
Requesting an Estimate
You already you’d have to request an estimate on the job you want done, but we like to mention it as much as possible - as this is that important! You should always get estimates from at least three different places, but keep in mind what we’ve been discussing so far.
This means that:
You don’t want to get the cheapest contractors and end up regretting your choice! First do your research, then request a quote, do some more research, and try to actually talk with the companies you’re requesting the quotes from. It makes a difference when you don’t get too tied up on lower prices, since quality is the most important thing after all.
Check Online Reviews
This part isn’t essential, but it can be quite helpful if you’re new to this contractor's business. People are usually very honest on their reviews, whether it’s a good one or not.
Try to look for contractors who:
- Answer in a timely manner
- Are open to making your ideas work
- Give suggestions when things might go wrong
- Explain the cost of what they’re doing
- Explain what they’re doing and why they’re doing it
- Make you feel safe
When you have all of that, you can be sure you’ll have a wonderful job done!
Ready to hire your contractor? Get a free estimate for whatever project you’re looking to have done!
Still have doubts? Let us know in the comments below or talk to us through our Facebook page!
