topic Re: Contractor Quotes in Home

Contractor Quotes

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:24:53 GMT

Do you shop around or go with what you think works? I need some new patio doors and I think I've found a great installer (I already know what brand of door) and DH thinks we need a second opinion.

I think we should sign a contract. In fact, I may just do it! The longer we fart around the longer it takes to get the work completed.

Anyway, tell me your take. Thanks.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Kachina624 — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:29:34 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia I had your attitude when I replaced my patio door. I later learned I spent a lot more money than I'd needed to spend. Get other estimates.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:37:31 GMT

You may be right, @Kachina624 . It's a lot of money to spend but it's also a huge detriment if its not done right!

Re: Contractor Quotes

ladyann45 — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:37:50 GMT

I would shop around or check Home Depot,Lowes or where ever you purchase the doors from. Most places have people to install these types of things as employees or an independent contractor that does the work for them. The person you choose should be a reliable person and always get a contract for the work done, if you have doubts about it always check with your Better Business Bureau. I wish you all the best in finding a contractor.

Re: Contractor Quotes

itsmagic — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:52:13 GMT

I might shop around but I am more of a person who goes with someone I know will do a great job rather than the cheapest who I know nothing about. I have a friend who goes with the cheapest and she got a shoddy installation when she had a new roofing job done. The roof leaked two months later, the original roofer came and supposedly fixed it. It leaked a couple weeks later, ruined some of her hardwood floors, and again it was “fixed”. When she sold her house the inspector showed her how the roof was done wrong and she had to discount the price to the buyer so they could have it fixed.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:59:53 GMT

I think I tend to be like you, @itsmagic . My house is not new and some of the origins (subfloor) could be problematic. A few bucks spent on a great install pay off.

Re: Contractor Quotes

PickyPicky3 — Thu, 27 May 2021 22:08:16 GMT

Having been a homeowner for almost 50 years, I've done the best with a recommendation from someone I trust. Next would be Lowe's/Home Depot. Disappointed multiple times with highly rated workers from Angie's List. Never, never again will I hire anyone from Craigslist, no matter how desperate I may be.

Get estimates because, beyond price, you learn something new to think about with everyone you talk to.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Gabidog — Thu, 27 May 2021 22:12:34 GMT

You know the door but do you know the work of the installer? Any reviews from other jobs or references?

Re: Contractor Quotes

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 27 May 2021 22:50:22 GMT

If it is someone I trust and have used in the past, I'd accept the bid and get on the list....especialy if you are OK with the price.

I hired a landscape contractor about 1 month ago...and I hope the job is done by fall,

I did get two bids because I knew it was going to be expensive and I wanted to make sure I did not over pay. The bids ended up being about $300.00 apart.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 27 May 2021 23:24:05 GMT

I guess in reality things can wait a week. I am sorely tempted to ask for a contract, though. It is not cheap but it is less than I expected. DH of course thought it would be like a big trip to Costco!

He wants screens (these are patio doors) and I do not like screens. Maybe I'll get the screens and just get the job done.

This person gets very good reviews. I worked in the landscaping field for many years and I can usually tell a good tradesman.

Re: Contractor Quotes

ScrapHappy — Thu, 27 May 2021 23:27:54 GMT

I try to get at least 3 estimates on any project. Right now, at least in my area, contractors are super busy. One business I called wasn't scheduling until September. Another problem, materials. Need to buy tile for a bathroom. Most on back order for 8 - 12 weeks.

Re: Contractor Quotes

deeva — Thu, 27 May 2021 23:42:41 GMT

We always get at least two estimates, preferably three.
Another important factor for us is if the contractor really listens to us.

Or is the type that wants to do everything their way because they're the experts.

Re: Contractor Quotes

RedTop — Thu, 27 May 2021 23:44:47 GMT

We go with what works.

The last decade of his work career, my husband repaired and hung garage doors. He got to know many local contractors, and those are the people we go to for our home improvement projects.

Our main go-to guy is our neighbor down the road. We're on his list for several small inside jobs this summer, and by the time those are done, he will have done a total of about $50,000 work on our house.

Re: Contractor Quotes

PickyPicky3 — Fri, 28 May 2021 00:07:20 GMT

There's always a benefit to having the place where you buy the door do the installation. That way, if something goes wrong, you won't be caught in the middle of a "manufacturing defect" or "installation error" debate.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Sooner — Fri, 28 May 2021 00:12:49 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
Do you shop around or go with what you think works? I need some new patio doors and I think I've found a great installer (I already know what brand of door) and DH thinks we need a second opinion.

I think we should sign a contract. In fact, I may just do it! The longer we fart around the longer it takes to get the work completed.

Anyway, tell me your take. Thanks.

@Sweetbay magnolia I can't imagine not getting more than one quote, references, and checking out the reputations. I would never do that. A completed bad job isn't anything to brag about.

Re: Contractor Quotes

sometimesQVCaddict — Fri, 28 May 2021 01:20:33 GMT

I unfortunately learned the hard way many years ago not to go with either the cheapest or by not getting more than 1 quote. Only happened twice, but never again!!

If it's a project or task where I don't have anyone that I've used before, I get a minimum of 3 quotes if not more. I also have a huge list of questions for each person I interview including whether they're insured, licensed, who does the actual work (is it the person standing in front of you giving the quote or a trusted employee, or is it handed off to another subcontractor, their drinking buddy, their teenaged kid, etc. who isn't licensed).....etc etc etc

I also do not give jobs to someone just because they are all buddy buddy friendly. That's their job to sweet talk you to get you to hand money over to them! I'd rather have quality work done than someone who pretends to be my new best friend.

Also super important is never to trust someone who wants all the money up front before they start. Reputable places/contractors won't do this until all work completed & you can inspect to make sure it was done right. Except if it's a big job & they want a deposit-but it's all spelled out in the contract & I get receipts of EVERYTHING.

I also never hire home depot (or another big box store) to "subcontract" out work. I would have NO idea who would be showing up to do the work & what qualifications they actually had. They don't necessarily use the best & brightest for these things. Nope, not happening either!

Re: Contractor Quotes

PamfromCT — Fri, 28 May 2021 11:34:04 GMT

We have always gotten multiple quotes on any larger projects around our home. Aside from getting varying quotes, it is amazing what you can learn from different contractors about your job. Listen carefully and ask questions. And we have had a huge amount done on our home in the past several years. Very happy with the end results.

Re: Contractor Quotes

tiny 2 — Fri, 28 May 2021 12:33:59 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
I guess in reality things can wait a week. I am sorely tempted to ask for a contract, though. It is not cheap but it is less than I expected. DH of course thought it would be like a big trip to Costco!

He wants screens (these are patio doors) and I do not like screens. Maybe I'll get the screens and just get the job done.

This person gets very good reviews. I worked in the landscaping field for many years and I can usually tell a good tradesman.

@Sweetbay magnolia

If you do not like screens you might want to look into retractable screens. They roll away out of sight.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Boehm Collector — Fri, 28 May 2021 16:10:00 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia .. I have a contractor I have been using for the past 25 years. Have never looked elsewhere because I know his prices are reasonable; he is extremely honest & professional, reliable, and does amazing work.

Re: Contractor Quotes

Boehm Collector — Fri, 28 May 2021 16:12:16 GMT

Be careful with Home Depot or Lowes. They use subcontractors to do the work. I know contractors who have had to go in and fix a job done by Home Depot and/or Lowes.