It's tempting to want to go with the cheapest contractor
Before you make any decisions, be sure to ask each contractor what their policy is on change orders.
It's not uncommon for a discount contractor to lowball their estimate to get the bid and then stick you with a bunch of change orders during the project to make up the difference. They may start as the cheapest contractor but you may end up paying for it in the end.
If you roll the dice
By trying to save some money and go with the cheapest contractor who’s just getting started, you run the risk of them not being around when you need them later. You also won’t be able to benefit from the level of quality that comes from years of experience with a more seasoned contractor.
The way this often plays out is you have to fire your discount contractor halfway through the project due to unacceptable work and then hire someone else to come in and rescue the project. So in the end you end up paying much more than if you went with an experienced contractor.
The last thing that you want
From your contractor is a fight over the quality of their work. The best indicator of a respectable contractor is their warranty.
A craftsman stands behind their work. Contractors only put a warranty into place if they know that they won’t have an abundance of warranty claims. They’re confident that their work will withstand the test of time.
Most people don’t know that professional contractors have access to higher quality materials through their suppliers. Discount crews will literally just run down to Home Depot for materials.
If you’re investing thousands of dollars into your home, you want quality materials that will last. HOMEfix offers a 5 year warranty on both materials and labor.
Remodeling a bathroom, kitchen, or basement is no small task. Every home and every project is different and unique. There are a lot of variables to the final cost including materials selected, appliances, flooring, lighting, moving walls, size of the room, and labor costs.
We love watching HGTV too
One thing to keep in mind is that remodeling costs are like property values in that they differ from city to city. The exact same project might cost $5k in Waco, $20k in Toronto, $15k in Denver, and $10k in Colorado Springs.
- For a bathroom remodel in the Colorado Springs area, you can expect to pay around $10k-$30k.
- For a kitchen remodel, between $30k-$70k.
- A basement finish will typically run you about $65 per square foot.
Any less than those figures is a red flag for either poor quality or a discount contractor.
Make Sure Your Contractor is Licensed and Insured
Real-life story: Leslie hired a friend of a friend to save some money on a small bathroom refresh. The guy ended up getting hurt during the project. It happens. Unfortunately, he was unlicensed and uninsured. So when he filed for workman’s comp, Leslie was responsible for his medical bills and lost wages. Total nightmare.
Not everyone who claims to be a contractor is a licensed contractor. If your contractor is unlicensed and uninsured, you are responsible for their work.
Check and make sure your contractor is licensed and insured. Don’t just take their word for it. Look them up on the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department’s website to be sure: pprbd.org.
Your contractor needs to be able to pull a permit for the work. If you go with the cheapest contractor, you could go to sell your house only to learn that your “contractor” never pulled a permit. That could be a deal breaker for the sale and cost you thousands by having to lower your asking price or tear apart your house just to pass inspection. Not fun.
Also, scammers will sometimes pose as contractors, ask for a deposit and then do a vanishing act. It’s awful, but it does happen. Don’t make a deposit or sign anything until you’ve had a chance to check them out.
HOMEfix is not the cheapest option
We want you to know upfront that we probably won't be the cheapest option. Here's why:
- We don't have hidden costs and we won't surprise you with change orders.
- We do quality work that withstands the test of time ().
- We hire skilled craftsmen and pay them a fair wage.
Our Promise
If you choose to trust HOMEfix with your home, our promise to you is that your project will not exceed the estimated price unless you change the scope of work. If we run into an unforeseen circumstance that we missed during the estimate, we'll cover the cost.
Not every contractor offers that, in fact, we're the only one (that we know of) who does. We offer this so you can have peace of mind that the cost of your project isn't an abstract idea, but a solid unchanging number.
If you're ready to get started with a remodel, handyman job, or a new roof, click the button below to request an estimate. Or give us a call between 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday.
