If you're a seller or investor who wants to get the best price for your Kalamazoo area property, chances are at some point you're going to have to work with a contractor. In this article, we'll go over 3 essential things you must know about working with contractors to ensure the most affordable, most timely, and highest quality work.
Tip #1 - Be Very Specific
When you're requesting a bid or when you're talking about a job with a contractor, be very very specific about what you're looking for.
After you've agreed on a number, you should also be very meticulous about being specific in what you put in writing.
Taking this precaution will ensure you get exactly what you want, no more and no less.
Tip #2 - Find a Good, Reliable Contractor
Speak with several contractors before you decide on one for sure. Get a feel for the quality of the contractor's quality of work and integrity. Don't just decide based on price.
If your contractor is experienced, they should have references you can check. Check them.
Once you find a contractor you might want to work with, double check their license with the Secretary of State website. Remember, you're entrusting your property with this person, so it absolutely makes sense to do careful due diligence beforehand.
Tip #3 - Payment Tips
In general, it works in your favor to pay your contractor by project rather than by hours. A contractor can estimate how many hours it will take to complete a job, but that's just an estimate and the contractor can always exceed that estimate.
Rather than overpaying because your contractor billed by hour, agree to pay per project only.
Do not release payment until the job is complete. Once a contractor has been paid, often times they won't finish the job or the finished work will be of lesser quality. Even if the contractor asks, do not pay release payment for the job until the work is complete.
If you are considering selling Kalamazoo homes, one of the best first steps you can take is to ask me to send to you a FREE online market price evaluation. Especially important are the house values in your particular neighborhood.
Simply complete the form below and I will send to you via email a market value analysis using comparable homes in your Kalamazoo MI area neighborhood that are currently for sale and those that have recently sold.
Just complete the form below, provide your correct street address as well as your correct email address and I will provide the evaluation to you within a day or so.
If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and caring Kalamazoo real estate professional in or near Kalamazoo MI, I hope you will contact me.
You may visit my website at http://HomesofSWMichigan.com to learn more about my Kalamazoo real estate services