Avoid common mistakes when choosing a contractor

Consumer complaints and lawsuits regarding home improvements are on the rise according to Ripoff Reports; a homeowner that does not do their homework before embarking on a project could find themselves with poor workmanship, inferior products, health and safety issues or even legal problems.

So what’s a homeowner in need of a fix up to do? Review these common mistakes people make when embarking on a home improvement project:

Mistake No. 1: Buying only on price

Your home is probably one of the most expensive items you own, so making improvements is not the place to budget shop. “Make sure you are getting quality products professionally installed. A properly done home improvement should only have to be done once,” added Dave Harrison, chief marketing officer of Champion Windows, Sunrooms, Roofing and Home Exteriors. “And remember the old adage ‘you get what you pay for.'”

Mistake No. 2: Not looking at long term investment benefits

When your home project is done, you should be getting more than an upgrade to your home; you should also see an increase in your home’s value. When you do it right you can reduce energy and maintenance costs and increase comfort and pride in your home, and never have to worry about it again.

Mistake No. 3: Not knowing how to screen a contractor

“I’ve seen many independently owned contractors close their businesses after a short year or two,” said Harrison. “When selecting a contractor to work with it is important to get a sense of who they are, what products they use and how long they have been in business.” According to Harrison, there are four essential questions to ask during this screening process: Who designs it? Who builds it? Who installs it? And who guarantees it?

With these tips, finding the right contractor is much simpler.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.