Here are the top things you should do when receiving estimates from contractors. Make sure you get the best deal and get the job done right.
Alpine Lumber- Denver
303-458-8733
5800 N. Pecos Street Denver, CO, 80221
Denver, CO
Ace Hardware of Firestone
(303) 833-9191
8258 Weld county Rd 13, Safeway Shopping Center
Firestone, CO
Table Mesa Do it Best
303-499-7211
691 South Broadway
Boulder, CO
Lowe's(303) 684-5900
355 Ken Pratt Boulevard Longmont, CO Lowe's (303) 684-5900
355 Ken Pratt Boulevard
Longmont, CO
Hours M-SA 6 am - 9 pm SU 8 am - 8 pm
The Home Depot(720)494-0319
393 S Hover Road Longmont, CO The Home Depot (720)494-0319
393 S Hover Road
Longmont, CO
Hours Mon-Sat: 6:00am-10:00pm Sun: 7:00am-8:00pm
Sheridan Ace Hardware
(303) 426-1035
5017 W 64th Ave, 64th & Sheridan
Arvada, CO
Fastenal- Golden
303-278-7380
701 Pine Ridge Rd, Unit 1 Golden, CO, 80403
Golden, CO
Jordan's Building Center
303-421-1484
5000 Ward Road
Wheat Ridge, CO
Mcguckin True Value
(303) 443-1822
2525 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder, CO
The Home Depot(303)456-4000
5215 Wadsworth Blvd Arvada, CO The Home Depot (303)456-4000
5215 Wadsworth Blvd
Arvada, CO
Hours Mon-Sat: 6:00am-10:00pm Sun: 7:00am-8:00pm
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Steps
- Get at least four estimates. You are about to spend a lot of your hard earned money. Drop the top and bottom bid and go with one of the remaining estimates. This way you also get an assortment of information about the products you are interested in.
- Educate yourself online. There are many resources to check products and companies online before they give you bids. Of course, you should also execute an extensive background check of every contractor.
- Reply to the contractors calling and sending you emails. If you already have enough estimates tell them so, it is their job to continue calling and emailing you until they get a response. If you never respond to them, they will continue to contact you.
- Ask for references. Of course we all know they will give you the best of the best customers that they have, but the customers have no reason to lie and they will give you their honest opinion.
- Tell them if they treat you right or give you a deal you will be their next reference. The profit margin on home improvements is pretty large. These companies will lose money on your deal to get the overall dollars in the door for that week, month or year.
- Let the contractors know the bids you have received. Also, get a new bid from every contractor every time you get a new estimate. So if the first contractor bids $10,000, let the second contractor know what the first bid was and so on. When the second contractor gives you a bid call back the first salesman and get a new bid and so on. You will find all 4 (four) companies actively bidding for your business.
- Remember product. If contractor A sells a horrible product, of course they will have the lowest price. Be sure there are similar product and warranty guidelines you want as well in your bid. For example if contractor A has the best product but can't beat contractor B with similar products in price, see if they can add on an extended warranty or do the installation for free.
- Take your time. If the salesperson tells you the deal is only good for today, this week, etc. tell them to give you a bid that is good, period. This is a ploy to get you to sign today, and they have lots of them.
- Remember you are buying from someone who makes 100% commission and the only way they make money is to sell you. You have control, so if you do not like anything about the deal or the salesperson, stop immediately. There are thousands of contractors in every area; take your business and shop around until you are 100% satisfied.
Sources and Citations
- http://www.MyFreeEstimates.com http://www.MyContractorLocator.com
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