Hiring a Contractor?
Most service firms will quote an hourly rate over the phone, but does that really tell you anything? What any homeowner really wants to know is, "How much will it cost me to fix my problem?"
Quoting an hourly rate might seem to provide a rough estimate. Yet how often have you seen home repair jobs drag on for hour after hour with "the meter running"? Too many variables come into play, including the exact nature of the problem and the skill of the service technician dispatched to your home.
Here are a few questions homeowners should ask of the people you call for home repairs and service who quote you hourly charges over the phone.
Can you guarantee a maximum price to do the job?
Expect to hear a lot of stuttering and stammering with this one. Some contractors will laugh out loud. However, there are a few progressive contractors out there who do quote exact prices, guaranteed, once they perform a diagnosis. Usually they charge a modest up front fee for the diagnosis, though many waive the charge if they get the job. Nonetheless, it does remove the guesswork.
| Who will be doing the work? |
Sometimes it will be a master mechanic with many years of experience. At other times, though, it could be a youngster with less than a year under his belt - maybe even an apprentice filling in during an absence. Who does the work has a lot to do with how much you end up paying when rates are quoted on an hourly basis.
If the problem persists or reappears after your mechanic leaves, will you come back to fix it at no extra charge - immediately?
Most companies will answer yes to this question, but watch out. Most labor guarantees extend only a month, which is not very long when you think about it. Also, callbacks tend to be the lowest priority when service firms get busy.
Can you show me proof of a license and insurance, both general liability and worker compensation?
This is a big one. Most people don't realize that if an uninsured worker gets injured while working in a home, the homeowner can be held financially responsible.
On the flip side, in some states where licensing is required, a homeowner is not obligated to pay for any work done by an unlicensed contractor. |
| What time will you show up? |
Most service companies can't pinpoint their time of arrival closer than "morning or afternoon." This can get expensive if the homeowner has to take off a full or half-day of work.
Progressive service companies can many times pinpoint within an hour or two when their service technician will be at the door. If he or she does get delayed, these companies will call with an updated time of arrival. |
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