A home improvement project can be very stressful. Make it less stressful by choosing your contractor carefully. The key to success is to check out everything you can about the contractor before you part with your money. By taking your time and being thorough, much like you would do when you select your doctor or accountant, you can avoid the pitfalls of choosing poorly. This article from the thejournal-news.net shows us some tips to help you make the right choice.

choosing a home improvement contractor

Consumer complaints and lawsuits regarding home improvements are on the rise according to Ripoff Reports; a homeowner that does not do their homework before embarking on a project could find themselves with poor workmanship, inferior products, health and safety issues or even legal problems.

So what’s a homeowner in need of a fix up to do?

“Start by reviewing the three most common mistakes people make when embarking on a home improvement project,” says Dave Harrison, chief marketing officer of Champion Windows, Sunrooms, Roofing and Home Exteriors (www.GetChampion.com), one of the nation’s leading home improvement companies.

Mistake number one: Buying Only on Price

Your home is probably one of the most expensive items you own, so making improvements is not the place to budget shop.  “Make sure you are getting quality products professionally installed. A properly done home improvement should only have to be done once,” added Harrison, “and remember the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’.”

Mistake number two: Not looking at the Long Term Investment Benefits

When your home improvement project is finally over, you should be getting more than an upgrade to your home; you should also see an increase in your home’s value. When you do it right you can reduce energy and maintenance costs and increase comfort and pride in your home, and never have to worry about it again for as long as you own your home.

On the flip side a poorly executed project can lower the value of your home, have to be re-done in several years and even put your family’s health at risk. For example, water damage from faulty windows could cause mold.

Mistake number three: Not Knowing How to Screen a Contractor

“I’ve seen many independently owned contractors close their businesses after a short year or two,” said Harrison. “When selecting a contractor to work with it is important to get a sense of who they are, what products they use and how long they have been in business.”

According to Harrison there are four essential questions to ask during this screening process:

– Who designs it?

– Who builds it?

– Who installs it?

– Who guarantees it?

“When you don’t get the correct answers to these four questions you may end up with an inferior investment, expensive surprises, property damage or even lawsuits and liabilities,” says Harrison. “Ultimately, the answer you want is that there is a single source of accountability for your project. Having one company design, build, install and guarantee the product and work, as Champion does, can save you time, money and hassles in the long run.”

Make sure you have a contractor relationship you can trust for the long-term. This long-term relationship starts with a quality product and professional installation and includes a lifetime warranty from a company that has longevity and provides you with a sense that they will still be in business five or ten years down the road.  You should also ensure that your warranty is transferable, applies to all systems, applications and materials, and is non-prorated. A non-prorated warranty is considered to be the most valuable as it means that the manufacturer or seller will replace or repair the item at no cost to the buyer if there is a problem with a product.

 

Timothy Real Estate Group has professional designers and stagers that can help you prepare your home for the war.  Gorilla tactics that work because it is a Price War and a Beauty Contest that can mean making and saving more with your property investment.  Stay informed about Puerto Vallarta Real Estate and sign up for our newsletter… click here

Timothy Real Estate Group – An innovative company setting new standards in Real Estate sales and services has the most professional and experienced Realtors in the Puerto Vallarta area who understand the intricacies of Mexican Real Estate ownership, the local market, Puerto Vallarta property codes and regulations and financing.  The Timothy Group uses that knowledge to provide a sound analysis on every aspect of property ownership. Timothy Real Estate Group is known for professionalism and experience and they bring this to every transaction they work on for the benefit of Real Estate investors and developers alike. Ask about our Real Estate Listings