BUT DON’T STOP THERE. In the process, it’s important to ask these three things:
1) How will the contractor communicate with you? Does the contractor have an email address for answering your quick questions? Do they answer phone calls, and during what hours? How many days do they generally take to get back to customers?Not all contractors will actually return your call in a timely manner. If you notice that it is hard to reach a contractor when you are in the bidding process, this may indicate how it will go once you sign the contract. That said, we’ve had incredibly busy summers during which it is hard to get back to people as fast as we’d like. It is good to have a conversation with the contractor when getting a bid about what to expect.
2) How respectful will the contractor be of your property? Ask about how your furniture will be moved and protected during the work. If it is outdoor work, will your plantings near your house be protected? This is especially critical during lead removal or power washing.
It’s also important to ask how much preparation goes into the project. We pride ourselves in very careful preparation that leads to smooth walls, clean lines, and eye-popping results. Inquire about the kind of care the contractor puts into the work.
3) How close to the agreed-upon price and schedule will the contractor be? You can ask for a price guarantee. Ask for a completion date. We have all heard stories of contractors whose schedules become unpredictable once a project is started. Don’t get yourself into that situation.
And finally, A WARNING! Never pay for the full project up front! Typical practice is for companies to collect a percentage of the project fee–25-50%–up front. This is your protection against the contractor doing an unsatisfactory job. Even if you pay up front for a discount, you will have no leverage if the work is botched or —worse case scenario—the contractor leaves town before the job is done.Greenleaf is committed to our customers having a great experience in working with us.
Our most satisfying moments are when customers rave about their project to us. And when customers send us their friends, we know that we have accomplished our mission of having excellent customer care, and excellent results.We hope you find contractors who are a pleasure to work with. After all, it is your home we are talking about. And your time and energy. Of course, if it’s a painting, wall-papering or deck-staining project, we look forward to your call!
