August is the time of year to get back into the swing of things

August 12, 2014 | Filed under: Newsletter Articles,Uncategorized

August is the time of year to get back into the swing of things. Summer begins to wind down, vacation season ends, and the kids return to school. For many people this is an opportunity to get some final home improvements finished before fall approaches. As many of you look for contractors to complete these projects, it is important to remember that not all contractors are created equal. Here’s a short clip from SPIKE TV’s “To Catch a Contractor” that shows what a nuisance an unreliable contractor can be.

Click to view the video

As this clip shows, it seems contractors these days have become synonymous with rip-offs, let downs, and disregard for their customers. We know finding the right contractor for your home renovations can be a headache. We have gathered up some tips to help you find the right contractor for your various home improvements.

1) “The past is a good indicator of the future.”
When shopping for a contractor, one of your first steps should be to check for references that have worked with the contractor in the past. Seeking out friends, family, and neighbors is a good place to start. If you don’t know of anyone who has personally worked with the contractor, a helpful tool for finding out if their company is reputable is to search for them on Angie’s List or GuildQuality. Both of which are online databases with thousands of licensed contractors and can show customer feedback, photos of past work, as well as their BBB rating. A recent study shows that 95% of contractors change their name, or go out of business within three years due to customer complaints or mismanagement. Finding a contractor who has worked under the same name for over three years is a good benchmark for a reliable contractor.

2) “Be wary of bargains.”
Before deciding which contractor is right for your job you’ll want to compare prices from multiple companies. If a quote comes in much cheaper than other companies this should be an immediate red flag. The fixed cost of labor and materials are most likely the same across various contractors, so be wary of contractors who claim to have a significantly lower price than their competitors. Speaking on the cost of materials, a good strategy to insure that you are not getting ripped off is to offer to have the materials delivered directly to your home and pay on delivery.

3) “Don’t let your project sit on the back burner.”
The problem most homeowners have after finding a reputable contractor is the fact that great contractors have multiple jobs going on at the same time. A good strategy to combat this is to hire a contractor with project manager who will oversee your specific project from beginning to end. If the project grinds along the contractor will still have to pay the project manager, so it is in the contractor’s best interest to complete the job as swiftly as possible.

4) “Contracts are key.”
When explaining what you want with your contractor, it is important to put everything into writing. The greater the detail the better; this will avoid potential misunderstandings later on. Any verbal agreements made after the contract is drafted and signed should also be added. Taking these steps will insure both parties know what is expected.

With these tips we hope that you will be confident in finding the right contractor for your home. If you come a across a contractor who has done an excellent job, don’t forget to write a positive review online, and spread the word of the wonderful job they have done. Many contractors rely on referrals to grow their businesses, so reward them!

Here at Classic, we hold all of our contractors and independent dealers to the highest standards to insure that our customers never have to deal with an unprofessional contractor for their new roof. If you’re considering a new roof for your home, please visit us at classicroof.com and feel free to send any questions you might have about contractors or roofing our way. You can call us at 1-800-543-8938 or email us at info@classicroof.com.

We hope that this newsletter finds you well, and hope you have wonderful August.