Renovating your home can be exciting and hugely rewarding, but it’s not easy. There are so many factors to consider, from the amount you can afford to spend to the disruption of living in what’s essentially a building site.
One of the most effective ways to keep your stress levels under control is to have a plan in place. It’s best to try to map out every part of the process even if it seems excessive. A scrawled to-do list isn’t going to cut it; we mean going all in and creating spreadsheets and color-coding.
The area where you’ll have to be most organized is your budget. That means not only working out how much you can afford to spend but learning how to find the most competitive quotes. That’s what this article is designed to help you with.
Do Your Research
Before you reach out to tradesmen, make sure you’re informed about how much is a reasonable price for the sort of work you want. Not all professionals will be scrupulous, and if you go to them with a “blank cheque” approach, they may charge you more than usual.
So, try to get an unbiased opinion. If you know someone who works in construction, they might be able to give you a rough idea of what to expect, even if that particular area isn’t their specialty. However, most of us don’t have such useful contacts. In these instances, Google and books like the Guide to Home Renovation: House Improvements for Homeowners, which can be purchased from Amazon, are your friends.
Use A Comparison Site
Once you know what’s reasonable in terms of price, it’s time to visit a comparison site. These now exist for consumers in many different industries, from car insurance to online gambling. Let’s use the latter as an example. If you wanted to find the best prices and promotions online, you’d probably visit a site like Bonusfinder Canada. This features lots of different options from various providers and even ranks them to make the decision easier for you.
It’s the same if you’re looking for a tradesman, with websites like Checkatrade making it simple to get quotes from several professionals without having to approach each of them individually. You’re also able to see reviews and ratings from previous customers so you can be assured of their reputability.
Break Down What’s Included
Once you have your quotes, the hard work starts. It may seem like all you need to do is wait for them to come in and then go with whoever’s pricing is most competitive, but it’s not quite that simple.
To some extent, you’ll want to ignore the price itself and look at what the breakdown includes. Rather than comparing the quotes, look at the cost of materials, price per hour, and how long the contractor expects the project to take. This will allow you to compare the prices you’ve received on a like-for-like basis. If you need further information from any of the contractors you’ve spoken to, don’t be shy about asking for it.
When it comes to choosing a professional to work on your home, there are lots to think about, but one of the most important factors is to ensure you’re not paying over the odds. While price isn’t everything, it is essential in making sure the money you spend buys you the best renovations possible. Follow our three simple steps to get off on the right foot.
Featured image: Pixabay (Alexas_Photos).
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