Manolo Blahnik once said “Maintenance is terribly important.” Our guess is that he wasn’t referring to home upkeep, but we think it definitely applies! Routine home care is essential for maintaining your home’s value and keeping all systems running smoothly. And what about home updates? One of the many joys of homeownership is being able to make changes to your home as your style and needs change. Often, simple maintenance and repairs can be done quickly and with minimal effort. However, when a larger project arises or you’re short on time, you may find yourself wanting to enlist the help of a professional. These tips from Zillow can help you find the right service pro for your home projects, big or small.
Finding the right person to install your garage door opener, patch your roof or landscape your yard takes time – but it’s time well spent.
The Better Business Bureau last year recorded 24,900 complaints from U.S. homeowners about general contractors, remodeling and repair specialists, roofing contractors, painters and plumbers. The Bureau received an additional 12,500 complaints associated with landscape professionals, pest control businesses, appliance repair companies, air-conditioning contractors and pool service companies. Grievances ranged from quality of work provided to contract issues, and inferior repairs to unfinished work.
Invest the time and energy upfront by checking a service pro’s credentials and insisting on a written contract. These five tips may help you avoid problems:
1. Do your due diligence
Ask potential service providers for copies of their license, insurance and bonding capacity, then make sure the information is current. Ensure the company is licensed to perform the type of work you need and that it meets the bonding requirements of your town, county and state. Ask for references — and call them. Search online for news articles, customer reviews and reports of violations related to the company.
2. Be wary of bargain bids
Bids that come in substantially lower than the competition aren’t necessarily the best deal. There may be an explanation for the bargain-basement pricing; perhaps the low bid doesn’t account for the same installation, materials and features. Or, it could be that the low bid is a sign that you’re going to receive a lower level of service. Conversely, don’t be fooled into thinking a very high bid indicates higher standards of service. You may simply be working with a contractor who is so busy he’s not looking for more work. Any time you receive a bid that’s significantly higher or lower than all the others, ask the service provider if there’s a reason for the difference.
