What to Look for in Quotes from Contractors
Before you start your exterior home improvement project you have to find a contractor, and before that, you have to collect bids in order to find your match.
Perdue Builders and Supply is happy to help you as you sort through the different quotations. Siding is our specialty so we understand the lingo, can tell you the differentiating factors between quotes, and can spot what they may be missing.
Homeowners don’t always know how to correctly install siding or the appropriate materials to use in doing so — that’s precisely why you are hiring a professional — so why would we expect you to be an expert at comparing quotes!
James Hardie Gray Slate ColorPlus Siding
Here we tell you a few things to look out for on job quotes in order to find the best fit contractor.
Missing brands or specific material types
If a company says they will install something, confirm that it spells out the make or brand they will be using. There’s cheaper material options for (almost) everything and it’s important to know that the contractor is going to use the best option.
A few examples of this would be: “paint” without specifying the quality or brand, “trim” without saying exactly what type of trim it is, or “nails” without telling you what kind. Every item that goes on your house is critical in the long-term investment, so it is always worth checking.
Make sure the full job scope is very clearly stated
Some contractors, like Perdue, are going to handle every detail so that the customer doesn’t have to lift a finger once the job is done. Other contractors may leave things out… make sure everything is accounted for.
If it’s a single-family exterior remodel, go look around your house and make a checklist to confirm that everything is accounted for in the bid. A few things that you might not think of but are important to the overall finished look: soffit, gutters/downspouts, fascia, vents, conduits, etc.
Watch for the add-ons
The grand total might look really good, but make sure there aren’t any sneaky add-ons. Some contractors will handle non-siding finishes as extras or add-ons. A few of these things might be: :miscellaneous painting, door painting, repairs, etc.
It doesn’t mean that the contractor is trying to be sneaky, but if you don’t read it carefully you might not see that it isn’t included in the total price.
Also consider a contractor’s workmanship warranty. Perdue Builders offers a LIFETIME workmanship warranty.
All in all, we recommend reading over everything carefully since it is a big decision. Always feel free to reach out to us with questions or concerns!
Things are booking up fast and now is the time to start the quotation process if you are considering siding or windows in the next year. Call today at (425) 398-8609 or reach out to us here.