Finding a reliable and trustworthy professional to take on home improvement jobs in your house is often a hard task. You often hear horror stories about contractors who don’t finish a job or who take advantage of their customers by over charging them.
It is important to be organized and most importantly be in control of the situation. Here are some tips to ensure you find the right contractor for your home improvement jobs.
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Ask For Referrals
Ask neighbors and family whom they have used before and if they would recommend them. Don’t give someone a job as a ‘favor’ just because they are a friend of the family. Word of mouth is often the best referral since it comes from a real life experience.
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Compare Several Options
Check out at least three contractors before you go ahead. Look at the different quotes, time frames, and professionalism of each one before you make your choice.
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Check References
Look at past clients who have used the contractors before. You can usually check reviews by looking on the contractor’s business pages on Facebook or Google.
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Don’t Pay Up-Front
Only pay once the job has been completed! Make sure you are happy with the job in hand and that you are shown receipts for both labor and parts. Don’t pay more than 10% of the job total before the job starts. The rest can be paid after.
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Stay Informed
Communicate as much as you can before and during a job. If you see any problems, then let them know straight away.
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Set Rules
As this is your home that the contractors will be working out of, make sure you are clear on what hours they will be working, what bathroom they can use, and what will be cleaned up at the end of each day so that you don’t feel like a stranger in your own home.
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Get It in Writing
Make sure you have a contract in place. This will include deadlines, costs, materials, and any other charges. Then you will have it in writing should you need to query anything.
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Set Clear Expectations
It may sound silly, but before you begin any job, make sure you actually know what you want and are clear about it. For instance, if you want a kitchen or bathroom renovated, make clear what sort of tiles, flooring, and style you want to go for. If you know this before you begin a job, then there is a better chance that you will be happy with the job at hand.
Many of our clients include home renovations as part of their overall financial plan. Choosing the right home improvement professional ensures not only that your project is completed to your satisfaction but also that it stays within your budget. Feel free to reach out to us for a second opinion before tackling your next project.
FSA’s current written Disclosure Brochure and Privacy Notice discussing our current advisory services and fees is also available at https://fsainvest.com/disclosures/ or by calling 301-949-7300.
