How To Make The Most Out Of Your Meeting With A Contractor
I don't know how many homes I visit annually that aren't
prepared for me when I come over to give them a free estimate. Often
this irritates me, because I don't think that most homeowners value my
time. Here's a couple of things that you can do to make the most out of
your meeting with the contractor.
1. Actually have some information about the project that you're planning
on the contractor working on. If you're remodeling your bathroom, make
sure that you have some type of design or pictures that your bathroom
remodeling contractor can look at.
If you're planning on building a room addition, make sure that you know
how big the room addition is actually going to be. If you're planning on
having your contractor provide you with a designed and you don't know
what you want, make sure that you tell the contractor before they arrive
to give you your free estimate.
2. Allow enough time with your contractor. I can't tell you how many
homes I've went to, where my appointment was at seven o'clock and the
homeowner arrives at 7:30 and needs to leave by 8:15. This is one of the
worst things that you can do to anyone and you probably don't like it
when someone else does this to you.
3. Let your contractor share some of his experience with you. I don't
know how many times I suggest something to a prospective client, only to
irritate them. I can't imagine what other contractors must sound like,
because I have become very good at suggesting, instead of dictating.
If your contractor has over 15 years of experience working in the
construction industry and you don't, there is a good chance that they
might know what they're talking about. You don't have anything to lose
and everything to gain, by simply listening to what they have to say.
If you really want to make the most out of your meeting with a
contractor, I love milk and cookies and potato chips and cupcakes and
you get the message. I'm just kidding about the food, but most
contractors who provide homeowners with free estimates, still need to
spend time and money to provide these services, the least that you can
do, is to be prepared for the estimate.