Finding A Quality Contractor Who Doesn't Charge A Fortune

Whenever your home needs an exterior facelift, new windows or other remodeling, your first step has to be finding a reliable contractor who does superior, quality work and uses high-grade materials. It can be difficult to weed through various renovation companies to find the one that can do the job properly without breaking your budget, particularly since the least expensive bid you get will probably reflect the company's inferior materials and less than professional work ethic. On the other hand, you can pay too much, even for quality work, if you automatically choose the highest priced estimate for your new siding or window replacement estimate. While getting at least three estimates is a step in the right direction, it is only the first step.

Read Online Reviews With A Grain Of Salt

Online reviews can give you more information, but keep in mind that most consumers are more likely to write a review if they are unhappy while satisfied customers may never think to post their opinion on a website. It's a simple fact that these online reviews tend to have a higher percentage of complaints. If there are some complaints, don't forget to see whether the company followed up with a satisfactory resolution. Not all websites offer this kind of information, but some do, including the Better Business Bureau.

Ask For References

A reputable contractor will always have a list of references available. Ask for references who had work similar to what you're interested in done. If you want to have new windows installed, ask about recent customers with window replacement projects, then be sure to call everyone on the list provided and ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask what they liked most about the contractor, whether they stuck to their timeline, how they handled unexpected hurdles and whether they had a professional attitude.

See For Yourself: Check Out Their Recent Window Replacement Jobs

Quality contractors will gladly give you a list of addresses where they did window replacement work in your area. Drive by those houses to get an idea of how your windows might look. Be sure to examine the trim around the windows, the condition of the siding near the windows and any other details that would be an indication of the professionalism of their work.

Educate Yourself

The quality of the work is only as good as the quality of the materials, so be sure to ask contractors what brands they offer for window replacement. They should offer at least two major brands and different types of windows, such as vinyl, wood clad and fiberglass, so that you have an array of options available. Also ask about the warranties on each brand and whether they stand behind their work with any kind of guarantee. If you aren't sure what kind of windows you want, do some research on your own and then ask each contractor to explain the differences in order to test their knowledge and get a professional opinion of the various window replacement options. Watch out for outlandish claims that can't be backed up by the warranty. Also compare the price of specific windows from one contractor to the other. While every contractor has a mark-up on products they offer, watch out for higher mark-ups that are out of line with the industry standard.

The most important step you can take before shopping for a home improvement company is to arm yourself with the right information and questions. From there, you can quickly narrow down your choices to a few top quality contractors and choose the one that will do truly superior work on your home.