There are a few tips and tricks that can help homeowners get the best quotes from general contractors when it comes to building or renovating your home.
A general contractor (also called the main/prime contractor) is the person who will work with you to:
- Provide oversight of the construction
- Manage the different trades people involved
- Communicate to all involved parties throughout the project
General contractors in Austin can also act as building designers and head their own crew of contractors depending on the needs of your project.
Being a crucial role in building or renovating your home, it’s important that you get the best quotes from the best general contractors possible.
Read more to learn how…
Research
Some of the best ways to search for general contractors is by word of mouth and speaking with friends, family, and neighbors.
Generally, it is best to find local contractors who are based near you, since they have reputations to uphold and their previous work will be located close by for you to look at.
As well as searching online for local contractors, try visiting local hardware or electrical stores for professional recommendations.
Once you have some names, the next step is to check the contractor’s websites for previous work references and if there are any bad reviews.
Ask potential contractors along with the City of Austin if they are registered as general contractors, since this will affect their ability to purchase permits on your behalf.
Get multiple quotes from different contractors
It is important to look around for the best deals. Getting quotes from at least three different contractors will allow you to compare their rates.
Due to the amount of work and communication you will need to put in with your contractor, contacting multiple contractors helps you to find someone who you feel comfortable with and can trust as opposed to someone who is argumentative.
Be clear about the work
Having a finalized vision of what you want from the project will help immensely with determining an accurate overall cost.
A general contractor can give you rough estimates for vague ideas of a project, but a legitimate quote can only be given when the work has been mapped out properly.
Giving consistent and detailed information to different contractors will allow you to analyze their bids easier and, in the long run, it will help you itemize and keep track of expenses throughout the project.
Consider the season
The time of year can also affect the quote a general contractor will give you.
If there is room in your schedule to move, try changing your project dates to times of the year when contractors are less busy and more willing to negotiate their costs with you.
Avoid unnaturally low bids
By getting multiple quotes from contractors who have been presented with the same, consistent information about the project, you will normally be able to identify a company that is low-balling the competition.
Be wary of this, because abnormally low quotes may suggest a contractor’s time saving, corner cutting practices.
Research these companies and inquire about what insurance they have to protect you against any onsite injuries and accidents, since this may be one of the cut corners.
Buy the materials yourself
The contractor can provide all of the materials, however because they will most likely order everything through one company, they may not be searching for the best deals.
To keep prices down, you can ask for all of the necessary information to purchase the materials for the project yourself at the best prices.
For more information about getting the best quotes and services from general contractors, please contact us. We are experienced in the Austin area and can be the professionals that you need by your side.
If you’re sick of repairs and want to learn about 7 possible options to sell your quickly in Austin, Tx, view our article here.