PDF (MONEY Magazine) — Ask any homeowner who has done an improvement on the cheap: You get what you pay for. Second-rate materials don’t last and contractors who make low-ball bids rarely deliver fine craftsmanship.
Fortunately, there are a few effective ways to get good quality for less. One is simply to renovate during an economic slump like this one: Contractors who are eager for work tend to be more willing to cut deals. Here are five other time-tested strategies.
Doing a project when other homeowners aren’t may save you about 10%, says Robert Wilkos, who runs an HVAC and plumbing business in Panama City, Fla. In autumn, for example, put in a new patio or lawn irrigation system; in winter, finish the basement or install central air. Wait till summer, if you can, to replace your old furnace or install a gas fireplace. Get the bids during the busy season, then say, “If I’m willing to wait, will you give me a discount?”
Look for a mom-and-pop contractor
You have a choice between large outfits (where the boss or a salesman bids on the job, then sends a crew to work) and small, family-run ones (where the boss is the lead laborer). Because the latter have leaner operations and lower overhead, says Kermit Baker of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, they can charge less than the big guys. You might save 5% to 20%.
