Advice

Do You Always Get What You Pay For?

You have come to the point where you have decided that some work needs to be done on your home and you know what work you want to have done. Whether it is having the home exterior painted, adding a new room, or redoing your living room, the next part of selecting the contractor could be the most disastrous or the best decision you have ever made.

How do you know if you are making a good choice?
The following are some “tips” for choosing a good contractor and what to look for in a contractor. This information does not focus on the formal process you should go through including checking references and writing a formal contract, but some other factors or clues that could help you really determine who you want to work with.

Business Investment
Take a close look at the contractor. They need to seem professional from the first time you see their names.
Good contractors invest in their business. Cheap photocopied flyers, while saying a lot, may mean little. Many contractors will put flyers throughout a new housing development. The legitimate ones will follow this up with quality advertising materials, or they will have invested in other means of advertising such as postcards and publications. Their business cards will be printed, and will be of nice quality with a graphic or logo.
Good business owners as well as homeowners know that quality presentation materials reflect positively on a business and on the quality of the work.

Price
In every business, there are market leaders and bargain brands. The world of home improvement is no different.
Market leaders can charge high prices because of the service they offer and the quality of the work they do. They charge higher prices and still sell more, because customers feel it’s worth it. From a consumer perspective, if you do not get the expected results from an investment in your home, it just not worth it no matter how little it costs.
Low price without quality is no bargain. When looking for a home improvement contractor, always get more than one formal bid based on exactly the same specifications and plans. Don’t automatically choose the lowest bid. If one bid is seriously lower than the others, be suspicious of inexperience, desperation or false pretenses. Generally speaking, if a bid looks too good to be true, it probably is. You normally get what you pay for.

Community Involvement
A quality contractor has been a resident of the community and is often involved with community associations, business groups, and work. Find out how established your contractor is in the community. Does he own property or just rent? Is he a family person, with established roots, or someone who moves on a lot? Does he contribute to the community, or just dwell within its borders? The personal qualities of a contractor illustrate an attitude toward business, and how they will view the client/professional relationship upon which you will embark.

We here at NOVA Painting Co. appreciate your time and wish you much success and happiness with your new painting projects.

Please do not hesitate to call us for a free painting evaluation.