How do I ensure that I am getting a fair price for my requested services from a contractor?

Obtain at least three estimates, quotes, or proposals from different contractors. In order to receive accurate estimates from a contractor, you need to give a description of the work that needs to be done on your home. Give contractors a detailed description of the job and any specifications you have for equipment or materials.

Assess each bid or proposal. After you have at least three bids or proposals, compare them carefully to ensure that everything you asked for is in the estimate. Always assume that anything not listed in the proposal is not included in the price given.

Do not automatically choose the contractor who gives you the lowest bid. Estimates that are significantly lower than their competitors may indicate that the contractor misunderstood the scope of the project. They may have also lowered costs by substituting lower quality materials or by having a lower quality installation of the product. You can follow-up with contractors if there is any information that is missing or unclear.

Check contractor references. Get in touch with each of the contractor’s references and check their Better Business Bureau rating to help you make an informed decision. This will help you get a better sense of a contractor’s work performance and quality of materials used. Overall, you should choose the contractor that you feel will give you the best overall value for your money.

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