Do you ever wonder how or why some people can have their homes remodeled, additions built and upgrades made for bottom line prices? The secret is in negotiating for these types of services.
The first thing that you want to do before negotiating contract work for your home is to ask around for references to people or companies that do the work you want. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and neighbors the price that they paid for similar services. Also ask if the work was completed on time and if the person or company was easy to work with.
Once you have this information, rank the contractors in the order of your preference. You want to collect a number of bids and leave your favorite person or company last. You might not normally be able to afford your number one choice, but if you have a bunch of bids in hand, you may be able to negotiate for your favorite contractor to be able to do the work at a lower price.
An independent business usually has more leeway in negotiating with you than does a larger commercial company. That said, it doesn’t mean that you can’t negotiate with a larger firm, just that the amount of benefit you get may be less. At the same time, it might be easier to negotiation additional services instead of actual monetary discounts. Have them throw in extras such as extended warranty or service contract, free removal of debris or a free upgrade in the work or materials.
The important thing to keep in mind when negotiating for contract work is to be firm but pleasant. Be honest, too. Not everyone will want to work with you, but if you ask nicely for what you want, you are more likely to get it than if you are demanding. Although many contractors are looking for work now and will want to get the job, no one wants to work long term with someone who is unpleasant and demanding.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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