Guides on choosing the right contractor for your project.   by John Baxter

in Home / Remodeling    (submitted 2011-01-04)

Choosing the right plumbing company is easier than you think if you follow these guidelines,

1) I know it sounds obvious, but always get references, if the contractor gets annoyed at the request, ditch him, or her, they should be happy to show that past customers are delighted with their work.

2) Look at their vehicle, if it looks like a heap, either the company is not doing too well, or they don’t care, will they care about your property?

3) How is your quote presented, is it clear and precise, is it itemised, or just a vague explanation of the job. Does the quote state everything you require? If not don't be afraid to ask for more clarity. Now is the time to clear any misunderstanding, not when the job has started. Never accept a verbal quote unless the job is small and straight forward.

4) Do not make the mistake of going for the cheapest and always get at least three quotes, I have found in my business that the younger generation tend to go for price as they have had little experience of bad workmanship and believe all tradesmen are equal, so therefore cheapest has to be best. I have seen countless jobs involving bad workmanship and have been ashamed to be in the same trade at times.

One customer asked if I could put some problems right with a bathroom project that cost her £5000, I turned up to look at the job and could not believe the mess, although sorry for her I had to turn her down as it was so bad I would have to start afresh, and she could not afford such a drastic measure. Unfortunately the contractor had been paid up fully and would not come back to put the problems right

Note the amount of time it takes for the contractor to respond to your enquiry and how quick is your quote. Try contacting them on a few occasions to ask questions; are they easy to get hold of? Do they get annoyed with your questions, if so walk away.

Do not ever pay the full amount until you are completely satisfied, but remember if you are happy, pay up straight away, they may have gone out their way to satisfy you.

Make it clear you want continuation on your job, you do not want days away, the company needs to stay until the job is completed, unless genuine circumstances arise such as illness or problems with materials
Allow for the fact we are all human and the best of us make mistakes, problems do arise, it is how we get over them that matters.

You see TV programmes showing jobs that go wrong but rarely show jobs that go right, there are more good trade’s people than bad, and the majority do a fine job.

The signs of a bad trades person should be obvious, trust your senses, they will mostly prove right, if you don’t like the person don't accept the quote just because the price is cheap, if it sounds too good to be true, it is!

Don’t be fooled by a news reports about shortage of trades people, times are tight, it is a good time to weed out the rubbish, you should be able to have the pick of the best

I hope this helps and it does not sound condescending, but you will be amazed at the amount of customers taken in, and if you are not enlightened by the article you don’t need the advice.

Good look on your next home improvement.

About the Author

Owner of Plumbing business in Lincoln UK

http://www.plumblincoln.co.uk/index.html