4 Tips for Getting the Best Bids for a Remodeling Job Washington DC

The slump in housing starts and sales has flooded the news reports in the last month or so. While this may not be the best time to sell a home, it's a great time to buy and an excellent time to remodel. Get your house ready for the turn around - it will come - and save money. How? Contractors are slow. That means they're more willing to negotiate and offer better pricing than when they have so many jobs that they're turning them away.

Here's a few tips:

1) Do your homework. Ideally you should get five bids for each trade (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.) The theory is that you throw out the highest and lowest (either the trade is trying to trick you or they forget something) and negotiate the three in the middle. However, that multiplies really fast to many bids, meetings, etc. Instead try to get three. See how they fall. If they're all in the ball park, work it out. If not, question the outliers. Make sure you have all of the key trades lined up BEFORE you start. If you don't, you're asking for delays. Other key trades may include concrete, HVAC (heating and air conditioning). Drywall and trim carpenters can be found a bit later.

2) Negotiate. Don't hesitate to try and negotiate for a better price. The worst they can say is no, but in a slow market, you'll be surprised what contractors may come back with.

3) Ask for references. You wouldn't hire a babysitter, go to a doctor, or get an attorney without a reference. This is no different. You'll be surprised what you may learn. Even if all the references are glowing, you've learned two things: 1) some people like the contractor and 2) at least he wasn't dumb enough to give you the bad ones. Again, you'd be surprised.

4) Check out website recommendations. See Angie's List http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/ . Here's is unique in that tradespeople are graded and have profiles that include previous customers' comments.

It's a great time to invest in your current home and to negotiate good deals on the work.

Copyright: Copyright c 2007-2008 Julie Lohmeier

About the Author:

Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. From working hands on and doing much of the work herself to hiring contractors and construction managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement. She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants at http://www.myhomeredux.com. Subscribe to her free newsletter at: http://myhomeredux.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/get_my_home_red_2.html

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