Xonkers - Pro-Services

Professional Services

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Need a little professional help?

Hiring out professional services for your home can be tricky if you have no experience doing so. There are several things that you should understand before deciding on the person who will be selling, remodeling, repairing, or doing whatever needs to be done. As a homeowner, you aren’t just worried about keeping costs on-budget and on-schedule. You also want someone who is dependable and reputable, and who has many years of experience for what you have in mind. If you’re looking for some guidance on how to find a reliable realtor for the purchase or sale or a home, or a home contractor for your next project, check out these helpful tips.

Use reputable sources to find a reliable help

Asking friends and family members about their experiences with reliable realtors or home contractors can be a great way to find good companies to work with. But if you’re new to the area, or unsure about what your other options might be, consider online services like Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor or for that matter Xonkers, to find a reliable home contractor who will work for you—and not just for the bottom line. For Real Estate Agents, finding a really good one can be difficult as well. The trick is to find one that really listens to what you aree looking for. They should be asking you many more questions than what you ask them. Lastly, checking out Yelp or the BBB site can help to find if the company you are interested in has good ratings with customers.

Never jump on the wagon in your first rodeo!

hen seeking profssionals, never speak only to one. You will want to interview several different peeople for whatever the job is you are enlisting their help for. Sometimes more is a lot better. The idea is to find someone that you feel comfortable dealing with. You should never feel pressured to take what they are dealing. Nor should you feel like you have not a clue as to what they are talking about. They should be able to communicate well and help you to understand their entire process, even if you have no clue how to do it.

Questions, questions, and more questions

While you are interviewing your prospective handyman, contractor, or agent, make sure you are asking all of the right questions.

Are they licensed? If so, ask them to provide their information so you can verify it.

As a handyman or contractor, are they bonded, insured, or both? To know the difference you can read more here.

How long have they been in business?

How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year?(Contractor/Handyman) Or how many houses have you sold in the last 3 months?(Agent)

Can you provide me with a list of references?

Will my project require a permit?

How much money will be required upfront for downpayment?

What forms of payment are accepted? (We recommend avoiding cash)

So you are heading down project road.....Get your Estmates......

Once you decide you are comfortable with your plethora of potential purveyors of services, you will need to get estimates from them. Never go for a verbal estimate. Make sure they give them in writing and are clear and consice. Ask questions about anything you do not understand. It is important to remember that the lowest price will not always get you the best service. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

The Contract

After giving thought to your estimates and deciding on which company to with, they should draw up a contract. Before you sign a contract, make sure it includes:

The contractor’s name, address, phone, and license number (if required)

An estimated start and completion date

The payment schedule for the contractor, subcontractors, and suppliers

The contractor’s obligation to get all necessary permits

How change orders are handled. (A change order is a written authorization to the contractor to make a change or addition to the work described in the original contract, and could affect the project’s cost and schedule)

A detailed list of all materials including each product’s color, model, size, and brand. If some materials will be chosen later, the contract should say who’s responsible for choosing each item and how much money is budgeted for it (this is also known as the “allowance”).

Information about warranties covering materials and workmanship, with names and addresses of who is honoring them — the contractor, distributor, or manufacturer. The length of the warranty period and any limitations also should be spelled out.

. What the contractor will and won’t do. For example, is site clean-up and trash hauling included in the price? Ask for a "broom clause" that makes the contractor responsible for all clean-up work, including spills and stains.

For any promises made during conversations or calls, if they don’t remember, you may be out of luck — or charged extra.

A written statement of your right to cancel the contract within three business days if you signed it in your home or at a location other than the seller’s permanent place of business

Keep Records

Keep all paperwork related to your project in one place. This includes:

Copies of the contract

Change orders that may come up.

Any correspondence with your home improvement professionals

A record of all payments. You may need receipts for tax purposes.

Keep a log or journal of all phone calls, conversations, and activities. You also might want to take photographs as the job progresses. These records are especially important if you have problems with your project — during or after construction.

Use a Sign-Off Checklist

Before you sign off and make the final payment, check that:

All work meets the standards spelled out in the contract

You have written warranties for materials and workmanship

You have proof that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid

The job site has been cleaned up and cleared of excess materials, tools, and equipment

You have inspected and approved the completed work

So hopefully when all is done, you will be happy and completely satisifed with your project. Remember to pay it forward if you are happy with your service provider. The best way to do this of course is to give great positive reviews on online sites that list their services. Telling your friends, relatives, and neighbors also works great too and helps to keep these local businesses going!

Pro-Services