Eight Little
Known "Secrets" to
Hiring a Contractor!
This guide can save you
thousands of dollars!
Take the time to read this
guide and by all means use the
ADVICE to your advantage!
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Secret #1
– AVOID THE TWO
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT
REMODELING
Secret #2
– DON’T FALL FOR THE
COMMON SCAMS
Secret #3
– BEWARE OF THE “DOOR
TO DOOR” HANDYMAN!
Secret #4
-
FRANCHISE
COMPANIES
Secret #5
– HOW TO CHOOSE THE
RIGHT CONTRACTOR
Secret #6
– THE BIGGEST MISTAKE
HOMEOWNERS MAKE AND HOW YOU CAN
AVOID IT!
Secret #7
– HOW TO TELL IF YOUR
REMODELING PROJECT WILL RUN
SMOOTH, BEFORE YOU SIGN THE
CONTRACT!
Secret #8
– PLAN YOUR PROJECT!
Secret #1
–
AVOID THE TWO BIGGEST
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT REMODELING
Misconception Number One: Don’t just believe what the contractor tells you—make him show
you! This is a common and often
costly mistake. Many contractors
tell you that they are members
of an organization, but they
have no proof of it. If they
have no proof, you need to
investigate the company further.
Don’t ever make a decision just
based on the contractor’s
here-say.
Misconception
Number Two: Going with the
lowest price saves you money.
No, not necessarily! Everyone
tends to look for the lowest
price. On a low estimate, you
must ask yourself, “what is
being left out” or “what
shortcut is being taken”?
Everyone wants three things
whenever they are making a
purchase: (1) Low Prices, (2)
Best Quality, and (3) Best
Service. It is impossible to get
all three, hence the old adage,
“you get what you pay for”. You
must ask yourself, “Which of the
three am I willing to give up?”
Let me explain…
Peter and Sylvia worked hard
their entire lives to pay for
their home and retire
comfortably. They decided a few
months back to remodel their
raised ranch with new vinyl
siding. Their idea was to
beautify their home and to make
it maintenance-free so they
would not have to deal with the
routine hassle of exterior
painting, especially on the
trim.
Sylvia decided to
call a few local remodelers for
estimates. She looked through
the Yellow Pages for the
contractor’s phone numbers whom
she thought were reputable. She
was looking for someone to
educate and walk her through the
process of a vinyl siding
project. She was a little
disappointed when the first
contractor she called arrived
two days later than scheduled.
She had expected someone very
professional, given the fact
that his company’s name was
relatively well-known and had
completed a lot of homes
throughout the area. He showed
up wearing worn-out jeans, work
boots, and a t-shirt. He didn’t
provide her with any license
numbers, copies of insurance, or
literature about the products.
He was using warranty
information, before and after
pictures, and a customer
referral. He basically described
to her the work that would done
to her house, for an estimate,
he “eye balled” the house and
gave her a figure that he wrote
down on the back of his business
card.
Undoubtedly, he had
the lowest bid. Although they
wanted a good price, they didn’t
feel comfortable with the first
contractor’s estimate. They then
called ACME Remodeling, another
seemingly reputable local
contractor, for a second
estimate. Much to their
surprise, ACME set up an
estimate time to meet with them
and made sure the time fit into
Sylvia and Peter’s schedule. A
representative arrived promptly
at the set time, professionally
attired. Before he even started
discussion about the project, he
provided them with a complete
presentation about the company
and his history including:
license numbers, insurance
certificates, award
certificates, and customer
referrals. He then proceeded to
educate them with information
about the materials and what the
installation process involved.
He showed them all the
decorative options available for
their house and provided them
with samples of the products,
and a swatch of all the colors
available. He then asked Sylvia
and Peter to join him outside
the
house while he took all the
measurements so that he could
walk them through the project
and describe in detail the
installation process.
Once inside the
house again, he sat down and
detailed the complete project
including materials and
timeframes. He explained the
manufactures and contractors
warrantees on material and
labor. They were given an
estimate that was good for two
years that included a discount
if they wanted to do the job
sooner. They seemed satisfied
with the scope of the project.
As they considered what to do
her mind flashed back to the
last company that had been
there. This company had given
them an estimate for twenty
thousand and told them “if we
can do business tonight, we can
save you ten-thousand dollars!”
The other estimates they had
received were ninety-two
hundred, fifty-five hundred, and
seventy-five hundred dollars.
After considering all the
information and the value they
were getting from ACME, they
decided to do business with
them. Sylvia remembered that
some companies offer incentives
for purchasing on the first
visit. She understood that this
offer is designed to save time
and money, but she would have
never purchased on the first
visit if ACME did not earn her
trust and make her comfortable
with her purchasing decision.
Looking back on the
project, they were happy that
they spent the effort to
research their project and talk
to different companies. They
felt that they made the most
educated decision with the
contractor they selected.they selected.
Like anything else, you
can’t get something for
nothing. Be careful of
choosing your contractor
based upon the lowest price.
Before you accept a low
price, you should consider
the level of service
involved, the type of
company you are choosing,
the project’s design, and
the project’s
specifications. Though price
is always a consideration,
you should be more concerned
with value. Try to get the
best contractor you can find
and the highest quality work
for your money.
Secret #2
–
DON’T FALL FOR THE COMMON SCAMS
The most common ploy
disreputable contractor’s use to
pressure people into signing a
contract is the model home
discount. This is an old “tin
man” (aluminum siding) sales
story that promises you a steep
discount for signing a contract
right then. The scam centers on
the need to use your home as a
model to advertise their
services in the neighborhood to
get more jobs. If you allow them
to use your home as a “show
home” for advertising purposes,
they will rebate several
thousand dollars to you. The
only catch is that you must sign
now! This trick is as old as
they come; yet it still nets
hundreds and hundreds of people!eds of people!eds of people!
If a contractor is
offering some “special deal”,
ask them to legitimize what they
are offering. For example, if it
is an advertising promotion they
are looking to do, ask them for
documentation or samples of
flyers or literature that they
are intending to mail or hand
deliver.
Secret #3
–
BEWARE OF THE “DOOR TO DOOR”
HANDYMAN!
These people may not
be contractors at all. Never
allow them into your home until
you have checked them out
thoroughly! This can’t be
stressed enough. You have seen
or heard the stories many times
on the nightly news and news
shows about two men claiming to
be contractors entering homes.
One took the homeowner on a
pretend sales call or inspection
while the other guy was going
through purses and other
personal belongings.al belongings.
If they happen to be
a real company, often times
these companies will do a sloppy
job (if they even do the job at
all). Some start the job and
never finish. Others are just
looking to get a sizeable down
payment and run off with your
money. It can be so frustrating
trying to chase after these
guys, getting them to come back
and finish the job or clean up a
messy work site. What is worse?
Often their work is so inferior,
you may need to hire somebody
else, at an additional expense
to you, to come and fix all the
things that they messed up!
Secret #4
-
FRANCHISE
COMPANIES
Buying from a franchised
bathroom remodeling company is
risky and expensive. Franchising
companies sell a franchise to
anyone willing to pay their
franchise fees. Usually a
mid-manager who has been laid
off and is willing to buy a job.
A Texas plumber contractor is
required to have 5000 hours of
experience before they get a
plumbing contractor license and
is regulated by the state.
Franchised companies sell
products but there is no
standard to assure their
customers of a good job. Then
there is the franchisee royalty
fees, which ranges from 15 to 20
percent of the final invoice,
the local franchisee passes this
onto the homeowner. Typically,
their installers are employees
do not have the require
professional licenses required
to do plumbing.
Remember that you cannot get
something for nothing! If
someone gives you a “honey
of a price” that seems too
good to be true, it probably
is!
Secret #5
–
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT
CONTRACTOR
Eleven Questions to Ask a
Contractor Before You Invite
Them Out to Your Home
1. Are you licensed?
In most states, contractors are required to be licensed. Licensing
usually involves lengthy
training for testing. The
problem for the consumer is that
they can be misled into thinking
the contractor possesses a level
of proficiency or knowledge that
they may not have. This is where
the referral list becomes most
crucial.
2.
Do you carry general liability
insurance?
Make sure
your contractor carries general
liability insurance. This type
of insurance protects your
property in case of damage
caused by the contractor and/or
their employees. The insurance
company will pay for the cost of
replacing and/or repairing the
damage that occurs.
3. Do you carry workman’s
compensation insurance?
Make sure
your contractor has workman’s
compensation insurance. It
protects you from liability if a
worker is injured while on your
property. Be aware that if your
contractor doesn’t carry
workman’s compensation coverage,
you may be liable for any
injuries suffered
by any of
the contractor’s employees on
your property. Some contractors
will tell you that your
homeowners insurance will cover
them against injury. Do not
believe this lie. Most policies
specifically exclude coverage
for injuries to hired
contractors. If the contractor
does carry workman’s
compensation insurance ask them
to show you a copy of their
policy.
4. Are you a member of the Home
Builders Better Business Bureau
or any other building group?
It’s always a good idea to consider hiring a contractor that
belongs to at least one if not
all of them. Here’s why: In most
cases these associations attract
only conscientious contractors
interested in improving the
industry and weeding out
unprofessional builders and
remodelers. Secondly, in order
to become a member, these
associations investigate a
contractor’s background and
references. Lastly, all members
must sign a written code of
ethics and pledge to
professionalism. Most members
take this pledge very seriously.
5.
Will you pull the required
permits?
Make sure your
contractor pulls all the
required permits. This is very
important. When a contractor
pulls the required permits, you
know things will be done “to
code”. Also, many homeowners’
insurance policies require
pulling a permit on any major
remodeling to keep your home
properly covered. Not all
contractors will do this. Many
prefer not to pull permits
because of the time involved and
the “hassle” with the
inspectors. Some contractors may
ask you to get the permits. This
could be a warning sign that
they aren’t able to pull the
permits because they are
unlicensed, or the work is
outside of their license. A
reputable contractor will pull a
permit on every job where a
permit is required.
6.
Do you guarantee your work?
Your contractor should guarantee their work. I’ve always felt that
if you can’t guarantee it, don’t
build it. I believe every job
should be backed with a workman
warranty.
Many contractors will not
guarantee their work. Some may
provide you with a one or two
year workmanship warranty. Most
faulty workmanship will easily
be detected within this one or
two year period. If a contractor
won’t guarantee it, don’t buy
it.
7.
Do you have an office?. Make sure the company has a physical presence this gives you a
place where you know you can
find them and indicates they are
financially sound and won’t be
declaring bankruptcy in the
middle of your project.
8.
Who will be in charge of the
job?
Make sure the contractor or his job supervisor is on the job
whenever work is being
performed. This person must be
intimately familiar with every
aspect of your project. If you
won’t be home during the
construction and must leave the
house unlocked or leave a key
with the contractor, you must
feel comfortable. You can’t be
worried about what is going on
when you are not there.
9. What percentage of your business
is repeat or referral business?
When a significant source of a
contractor’s business is derived
from repeat and referral
business, it usually indicated
that their clients are pleased
with the work they’ve received.
10.
10.
How many projects like mine have
you completed in the last year?
Your contractor should be
experienced in the type of
remodeling project you want done
not just “contracting
experience”. For example, a
contractor who mainly does
framing and carpentry does not
work with siding from
week-to-week.
11.
How do you handle your clean up?
A clean work site is
fundamental to a smooth
remodeling project. Your
contractor should clean up any
debris at the end of each day
and dispose of any rubbish at
the conclusion of the work. Your
home should be left “broom
swept”.
Secret #6
–
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE HOMEOWNERS
MAKE AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID IT!
Far and away the
number one mistake most
homeowners make costing them a
fortune is, they do NOT choose a
professional contractor to work
on their home. Well, how do you
know if you REALLY are dealing
with a professional? professional? professional? professional?
Here’s what to do,
after you ask for and receive
client references….call them!
You can never learn too much
about the person who you are
considering accepting. Take a
few minutes to inspect a job.
Ask for information on the time
needed to complete these jobs
and if the jobs were completed
on budget.
Secret #7
–
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR REMODELING
PROJECT WILL RUN SMOOTH, BEFORE
YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT!
1.
Good Communication. If you
can talk with each other, you
can work out any details that
come up.
A. When you call can you get a hold of someone?
B. Does he return a call promptly?
C. Does he listen to you?
D. Does he answer all your questions and concerns thoroughly?
Nothing is more
important than feeling like your
contractor understands your
needs and concerns. If your
contractor is so busy that he
can’t return your calls
promptly, maybe it’s time to
look for a new contractor. When
you are in a discussion, does
the contractor really listen to
you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean you? I mean
really
listen. This is vital.
2.
Comfort. If you feel comfortable with your contractor, the chances are
good your project
will run smoothly. Think about
it. You’ve just invited a
stranger into your house. Do you
find this person nice?
Considerate? Personable? A
Listener? Was he polite and
courteous? Or did he make you
feel that he wasn’t interested?
You will be working with
this person for a matter of
days, weeks, or months depending
upon the project you need
completed. Can you stand to have
this person around?
3.
Trustworthy. If you feel your
contractor is trustworthy, the
likelihood of a successful
project is good. Check his
references. Keep in mind that if
your project will entail
entrance into your home and you
won’t be home during the day,
they keys to your castle will be
given to your contractor. Can
you trust him or her? Listen to
your conscience.
4.
Completion. Will your contractor
give you a reasonable estimate
for how long the project will
take to complete? A good
contractor will do this.
Remember that you want to hire a
good contractor, not a new
roommate! Nothing is more
frustrating and irritating than
a remodeling job that drags on
and on.
5.
Written Contract. I can’t
tell you how many contractors I
have seen look at rather complex
jobs, pick a price out of thin
air, scribble a figure only on
the back of their business card,
and give the card to the
homeowner. Show contractors who
do this to the door! You want a
detailed, written contract that
shows what is included: exact
materials, brand names and cost.
It is one thing to be informal
with an estimate, it is quite
another to try and do
business without a formal
contract.
6.
Details. Work out the little details before work begins. Talk about things
like:
1. Where the dumpster goes, or where the debris pile will be created?
2. When will the project begin?
3. Who can you contact at the office with questions?
7.
Appearance. If your contractor
has a neat appearance, this is a
very good sign of things
to
come. This may sound silly, but
it’s not. He doesn’t have to
show up in a coat and tie, but
neatness does count. Is he
clean? Is his vehicle
presentable, or falling apart?
If his appearance is neat,
chances are good he will keep
your job and your home neat too
8.
Down Payment.
If your contractor
asks for a big chunk of money up
front, this could be a tip-off
that they are not in good
financial shape and you could be
in for a rocky experience. A
fair down payment should not
exceed one third, unless custom
ordered items are needed in the
beginning stage of construction.
As the work progresses, you
should expect to pay out
additional funds to match the
prescribed, completed stages
9.
Change Orders.
With
remodeling, there is always the
chance that you may want or need
to change a material or contract
item. Ask how these are handled.
They should be written on a
separate document showing in
detail what is being changed and
how much it will cost. This
should be done before the change
is affected and signed by both
the contractor and homeowner.
Good communication is the key to
determining how the rest of the
project will go. If you can talk
with each other, you can work
out any details that might come
up.
Secret #8
–
PLAN YOUR PROJECT!
This is really the greatest
“secret” of all! Plan your
project with a qualified
remodeling expert! Most people
spend more time planning a
one-week vacation than they do a
major remodel to their home. If
you’re considering a remodel in
the near future, sitting down
and talking with a professional
remodeling expert who can answer
all of your questions is the
best advice I know.
1. Someone who can help you through the “maze” of planning a
remodeling job.
2. Someone who will listen to your every concern.
3. Someone who subscribes to the principals and “secrets” described
above.
As
you might have guessed, this is
the only way we work here at
North Star Bath Remodeling LLC.
Initially we provided you a
FREE, NO OBLIGATION meeting to
find out what your concerns are,
and determine if we can be of
help to you and your family. I
hope that we can show you, as we
have thousands of others, how to
make their home absolutely
gorgeous, something to really be
proud of! Sounds good, doesn’t
it?
If all this makes
sense, and you are curious
about our approach to
remodeling, please give us a
call. We will be happy to
answer all of your questions
for
free.
Well, you are now
properly prepared to solicit
estimates for your home
remodeling project. Do you feel
wiser? I hope so. At I hope so. At I hope so. At
North
Star Bath LLC, we feel it is
important for you to be
comfortable with your
contractor. So if you should
ever need siding, windows or
doors, please consider allowing
us to educate you on your
project and provide you with a
competitive estimate
Remember that when a
representative from entative from entative from North
Star Bath Remodeling LLC
visits
your home, we are not going to
use high-pressure sales tactics.
It is simply a chance for you to
meet us and see if our services
can benefit you. If, after our
meeting, you believe there is no
benefit to be derived from
working with us, we simply leave
and that is that. If, however,
you do find that you would like
our help, we will discuss how we
proceed from there.
I cannot think of a
better way to work. Can you? If
you think my approach is fair
and honest, please consider ease consider ease consider
North Star Bath LLC
for your
home remodeling needs.
Best of luck with your
remodeling plans!
North Star Bath Remodeling LLC
Texas Plumbing Contractor # M38330
888-981-2284
