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| Thank you for your email and follow-up. I am in the process of selecting one of the several contractors I have spoken with. Without a doubt, the service you provide in his area is second to none. Again, I thank you and will let you know the final outcome once the project is completed. |
Regards,
Homeowner in
Accokeek, Maryland |
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Ask Your Acquaintances
That being said, go ahead and ask your friends for their recommendations! It is always a good place to start. Someone with first-hand experience will be able to tell you details like is the contractor timely, neat, thorough, and easy to work with. You can also see their work first hand in your acquaintance's own home. |
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Get a Recommendation
There are a number of online services that specialize in matching consumers with qualified general contractors in their local area. In order to be considered by these companies for inclusion in their directories, a general contractor must meet a number of quality and licensing standards, saving you a lot of time on detective work. |
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Check Out Their Website
This will not tell you how good their work is or if they will show up on time, but it will tell you how seriously they take their business. Any business worth its salt, large or small, has a website these days. Read through it and get a feel for what they believe is important. A good general contractor will often have pictures of their previous projects posted as well. |
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Narrow the Field
Create a list of the top three general contractors that have made a good impression on you so far. The next steps are to meet them face to face, get an estimate, check their credentials, and call their references. |
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Can You Work with This Contractor?
When you are meeting face to face with a general contractor you are considering hiring, ask yourself if you feel like he understands what you are looking for. Do you understand their answers to your questions? Do you have a good rapport with them? Have they been returning your phone calls or emails promptly? These things will be very important down the road if you choose them to work on your remodeling project. |
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Check References
Do actually check their references! Do not assume that just because they gave you three names on a piece of paper, that they are good references. Go ahead and actually call them. There is no need to be shy, most people will be happy to share this information, good or bad! A reputable general contractor will also belong to a professional or community organization, such as the Better Business Bureau. |
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Hire Your General Contractor
Once you have chosen your preferred contractor proceed, but with caution. Home remodeling projects are very rarely completed without any problems at all, so be as flexible as possible without sacrificing quality. Above all, make sure you have a signed contract with the general contractor you eventually choose to hire that covers all contingencies. If it is a large project, you might want to have a lawyer take a quick look at it to make sure you are well protected should something go awry. It can be worth the extra money. |
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| Compare FREE Estimates From Local Contractors NOW! |
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