10 Questions to Ask yourself Before Signing the Contract

10 Money Saving Questions to Ask Yourself Before Acceptance of An Estimate:

Q: I have received several bids on my project and they're all different. How do I know what to look for to make the right decision?

A: Every contractor has different bidding practices, but the vast majority out there use an "industry standard" model for estimating. This is the practice of bidding what they "think" everyone else is bidding at that particular time.

There are a number of things to look for on your estimate to find true value:

1. What type of materials is the contractor proposing to use and are the proposed amounts going to provide you with a quality product?

Poor materials will inevitably leave you with a poor product and the attempt to reduce costs through "cutting corners" will almost definitely lead to product failure and possible injury.

2. Does the contractor carry the proper permits, insurance, and worker's compensation to give you the piece-of-mind you deserve?

If a worker is injured or damage is done on your property and the contractor is unable to provide proper liability insurance or worker's compensation benefits guess whose left with the liability? You got it...you are. This places your home and family at risks that no one deserves.

3. What equipment is the contractor renting?

Many contractors offer services that they are unequipped to handle and rent the necessary equipment to complete the job. This raises overhead considerably and is always passed on to the customer.

4. How does the contractor present himself?

Landscapers do not have to be filthy! Some choose to and that image reflects on US all. Yes, that means you too! Proper uniforms and maintained equipment are a direct reflection on the type of service a contractor will provide and the amount of maintenance overhead he/she incurs. Without pride in yourself, it is ludicrous to assume you will have pride in your work.

5. Does the contractor have easy and convenient bill paying?

The worst person to have knocking on your front door at dinner time is some dirty contractor with his hand out.

6. How much distance is the contractor traveling to and from the job site?

One expense that is often overlooked is fuel. A dump truck full of dirt will get 7-10 miles a gallon. The customer will also pay for the mileage itself in most cases, wear and tear (or depreciation costs) of the equipment, and travel time for the employee(s) riding in the truck.

7. What kind of guarantee does the contractor offer?

Most contractors won't offer a guarantee much longer than the time they leave the property. This can leaves a customer with the burden of repairing or replacing the project at their own expense.

8. Is the contractor qualified to do the job?

Anyone can print out a business card and run an ad in the paper, but that doesn't necessarily reflect their capabilities to do your particular job. Contractors that offer a wide variety of services are often unprepared and stage the job poorly. This results in multiple trips to and from the job site and higher material and disposal costs.

9. How does the contractor propose to dispose of the waste materials and excavated soil?

Excavating a small area in preparation for a new patio or walkway will produce a much larger amount of dirt than anticipated and will need disposal. Soil is a tad more difficult to dispose because it is not accepted at many fills. Many contractors use one landfill for their disposal needs and it is important to consider the travel distance to and from there also.

10. Is the contractor going to be in business for the duration of the warranty?

We've heard so many horror stories about "fly by night" contractors ruining a family's life with poor projects and without any regard to the burdens they have just placed on the family. That is why it is important to look for stability in any contractor before wasting your money.

We hope that this Q & A will help you in making the right decision for your family in choosing the right landscaper for your upcoming project.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/10-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-signing-the-contract-119511.html

About the Author: Andrew Stephens Operations ManagerTeam Green Landscaping, Cincinnati, Ohio

 

If you are looking for a kitchen remodeling contractor in the Tampa, FL area, please call us today at 813.985.0892 or complete our online form for a free design consultation.