Hiring A Skilled Tradesman Call (901) 331-0297 and ask for Barry! Here are some tips and things to consider when hiring a Remodeling Contractor, Painter or a Handyman:
copy of the list for yourself and give it to the Tradesman so he can bid based on the written list. It will save you a lot of headaches later to have both of you working from the same, written list. Second, know that all Skilled Tradesmen services are NOT created equal. Since many Tradesmen services consist of one main trade and one or more assistants or helpers, it is important to realize that individuals have unique experiences, levels of skill and expertise and things they enjoy doing. Not every Tradesman can do every job you have and not every Tradesman can do all types of jobs well. So, when you are calling to interview a Tradesman ask specifically about their experience with the particular work you are looking to have done. Ultimately, you may need to hire two or more Tradesmen services for your list of work if certain ones have better skills. Third, get references from potential Tradesmen services. Fourth, check the references you got in the previous tip. I made these two tips separate because I know that many homer owners, business owners and real estate investors if I just put them together in one step would think they were done when they got references and would not check references. You got to check references. If a Tradesman cannot find 3 people of their choosing to say great things about them, that should tell you to find someone else. Fifth, every area has its own rules about licensing, registration and insurance. Check your local area for its rules and make your decisions with knowledge of those rules. Sixth, insurance, in my opinion, is not optional. You either need to have the right type and an adequate amount of insurance yourself and/or have the Tradesman have insurance. Seventh, find out and agree IN ADVANCE about how you will be billed: hourly, quarter hourly, half hourly, by the project, by the day, with materials included, materials extra? Will they give free estimates? Will they charge for the estimate? Work this out before having the Tradesman start work for you. Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ Q. Why do I need a licensed General Contractor or a Home Remodeling Contractor? A. By law, any project contracted over $ 25K requires a state licensed General Contractor unless you act as the General Contractor yourself. More importantly is the fact that in order to obtain and keep a General Contractor’s license, a company must prove a certain level of expertise and financial credibility. These credentials, along with workman’s compensation and liability insurance, solid references, and stability/length of time in business should all be key factors when hiring any design/build or other contractor. Q. Do I really need plans? A. We urge you not to proceed with any project over $ 20K without drawings and specifications that are clearly understandable. All Services Guaranteed Company is a Home Improvement Remodeling and Painting Company that can assist you with these plans and specifications. We also have close working relationships with local architects for large projects. Q. Why does remodeling seem expensive compared to existing home prices? A. There are several reasons why the cost to remodel, renovate, or add on may seem high compared to new home construction. First, a distinction must be made between existing, tract, and custom (built to your specifications) home prices. All remodel work is custom and the cost compared to custom home construction is quite close. The other factor that makes remodeling seem more costly is the cost of additional, quality labor. It takes more time because care must be taken in and around your home. The skill and integrity of the workers must be of a high level because creative decisions must be made and you and your property must be respected. Clean-up must be performed on a daily basis and areas of the home must be protected from construction. All of these factors add time which means cost. Most people, when factoring in the cost of moving, the value of their location, the increase in value of their home, and the increase in the quality of their lives, find remodeling a smart choice. Q. What do you charge per square foot? A. All Services Guaranteed Company is a custom remodel and builder; there is no standard square foot price. With custom work every job is designed around the homeowner’s specifications. Q. Can you give me a ballpark price for my project? A. The wise alternative to asking for a “ballpark” price from any reputable company is to share your budget expectations. This allows you to find out if you need to scale back, re-design, or re-think your options. We have found that most people have done some homework and have a pretty good idea of what a project should cost. The key now is to put together clear plans and specifications based on your budget. Q. How long will my project take? A. A small project may take as few as 2-3 days, while a large addition or whole house renovation may take as long as several months. Our proposals all include a realistic construction schedule that we take much pride in following. Q. Do you give free estimates? A. All Services Guaranteed Company is a Residential and Commercial Remodeling and Painting Company that custom builds and paints. We do give free estimates and consultation, But, what this means is that we will have design and planning professionals that will assist you in organizing and planning your ideas, make recommendations, and prepare drawings before you begin your construction, if you choose to do so. We do charge an hourly fee for these services. Experience has shown us that this process saves you time, money, and a lot stress. It can be very confusing and time consuming trying to sort out abstract bids from several different contractors who have different interpretations of your ideas. In the long run, you will be saving yourself time and money by going through the proper design process at the beginning. This also helps you avoid costly Change Orders, due to miscommunication or misinterpretation, during the building process. Our initial in-home consultations are at no charge and we welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the feasibility of your project. After our initial consultation, we will offer our services as a remodeling, building and painting firm prior to submitting an estimate. A firm proposal needs set specifications. Obviously, if you have professional plans and drawings already in hand we would offer a free competitive bid. Contact Barry Huffman at (901) 331-0297 or email me at Barry@asgremodeling.com if you have any questions. So, when you are looking for Skilled Tradesman service be sure to call on at least two or three. Remember the lowest price is generally not always the best deal. You get what you pay for. Quality is not expensive, it’s priceless. Taking time up front to find the right one will save you a lot of time, money and headaches later. Make sure they are licensed, bonded and insured. |
ASG HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING CORP. |