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How To Evaluate Your Atlanta Contractor's Written Estimate
The South is an easygoing place compared to many other parts of the country. Many times a handshake is all that people use to make their agreements. However, when it comes to home improvements and hiring an Atlanta contractor, a handshake just will not do. Before you hire a contractor, there are things you need to do. One of the most important is to get a written contractor estimate for your project. Any contractor who won't provide you with a written estimate is not a contractor you want to be working with.
Read the Written Estimate and Understand It
When your Atlanta contractor provides you with the written estimate for your home improvement project, take some time to read through it. Bring the estimate, some paper for taking notes, and a calculator to a comfortable place and spend some time going over it. If there are any calculations on the estimate, run them through your calculator and make sure there are no mathematical errors. For some jobs, a tiny error in math can equal a large sum of cash. Read everything in the estimate. If there is anything you do not understand, make a note of it on your notepad. If there is anything listed that you did not agree to, make a note of that too.
Discuss the Written Estimate With Your Contractor
Schedule a meeting with your contractor at your home to discuss the estimate. Bring the notes you took while reading the contractor's estimate for your home improvement project. Start by discussing any notes you took. If there was anything you did not understand, get an explanation that you do fully understand. If there was anything you had not discussed with the contractor, ask about it and clarify whether it is actually something that is needed for the job, or just something the contractor usually does. Ask your Atlanta contractor to go through the estimate and see if there is anything that might be missing, or over looked. Everything you clear up now could save you time and money later.
Walk Through the Job Site with the Contractor
While the Atlanta contractor working on your home improvement project is there, ask them to walk through the job area with you and get an idea of how the items in the estimate relate to what will be happening on the job. This can help put things into perspective for you. We often don't understand numbers like measurements on paper as easily as when we walk them out. You may find that a number that seemed high to you is more reasonable when looking at the actual area, as opposed to simply reading it on paper.
Understanding Your Estimate Will Make Your Project Smoother
This might all seem like a hassle to you, or you might be worried about offending the contractor. Don't be! A legitimate contractor will understand that this is your home, and that their work represents a significant investment for you. They will want you to understand what you are getting into and you will both appreciate the problems this will prevent during the job. One final thing to do is ask the contractor if there is any fine print you need to be aware of. Ask them to point it out and to explain it to you.
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