What you do after getting a contractor quote makes the difference between hiring the best contractor for your project and getting one that will give you nasty surprises while the project is in progress. Here's what you should do once a professional contractor gives you a quote.
Establish the Accuracy of the Price Some contractors give quotes as estimates. That implies that in the end, the bills could be higher than the quoted prices. Ask the contractor whether the prices they've quoted are fixed or estimates. If they're estimates, ask for a fixed price quote. If the contractor claims your project has too many unknowns, try to iron out these unknowns. For example, you can request a more thorough evaluation of your home, like opening up a wall and an HVAC inspection. Itemize the Quote It's important to know how the contractor got to the final price for your project. Request a breakdown of all the elements of the job, such as parts and labor, and their costs. This will make it easier to compare different quotes. For example, you can question a contractor on why they're using fewer materials. An itemized bid also makes it easier to cut costs and settle disputes once the job starts. Check for Essentials Once you've fully understood the quote, check for the following important issues before hiring the contractor.
To avoid unwelcome surprises, don't automatically hire the contractor that gives you the lowest quote. For more tips on what to do after receiving a contractor quote, please contact us at Russell's Heating & Cooling. We've served the Hampton Roads area of Southeast Virginia since 1977. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about contractor quotes and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “faysal/Shutterstock”