So you are deciding to proceed with your construction project, and are looking for a reasonable priced, reliable contractor that can do the work at the quality you expect. Consider the following ways to get the most “bang for your contractor buck.”
- If possible, take advantage of lower off-season rates. For example, most contractors are not very busy during the year-end holiday season and may be willing to offer a more competitive rate while work is slow.
- Be sure to contract well ahead of time for jobs that need to be done in Seattle’s brief summer season. For example, the busy time for re-roofing or exterior painting is during the summer months, and a contractor may already be booked for the busy season.
- Make your contractor an advisor. He may charge you for some of it, but pick his brain about everything you want to know. You might not have a better opportunity to discuss whatever other project you may be considering. For example, while he is there remodeling your bathroom, you may want to ask for his comments about a kitchen remodel that you’ve been dreaming about.
- Tap your contractor’s sources for whatever else you need. Use his discount anyplace you can, even if it’s not immediately related to the job at hand. For example, if you know there is a load of lumber to be delivered for the basement refinishing, you might want to ask the contractor to include some extra pine shelving boards for that garage storage project you have in mind.
- Know what you want from the start. Be very clear on what you want and don’t want. NEVER say things like “Just make it look nice,” or just a “standard” whatever. Be as specific as possible. Avoid descriptions that are open to interpretation. Different people have different tastes about what “looks nice.” Be clear on your quality objectives. A good contractor should be able to offer you a variety of quality choices – from something that passes code and enables you to put your fully functional house on the market for a better price, or you may want the kind of quality material that you will want to live with for a long time.
- Put in sweat equity. You can reduce the cost of your job by agreeing to do many of the smaller tasks associated with large-scale remodels – like removing old cabinets, taking trash and debris to the dump, sweeping up, and other items within your ability and comfort level. But do what you say you’ll do, and when you say you’ll do it, so the job can stay on schedule at the agreed-upon price.
- Don’t just ask for, but check your contractor’s references. Questions to ask:
- What are his work habits?
- Does he supervise his crew?
- Did he stick to the contract?
- Did he stay on budget and schedule, with the quality you expected?
- Why or why not?
- Anything go wrong?
- How did he deal with it?
- How are his communications?