15% Too Much or Too Little Signals a Problem!

Homeowners today have endless choices of candidates to improve their homes from individuals working out of a truck to small contractors to corporations to national stores to builders trying to remodel during the current new home construction slump.  Really, the choice is daunting.  How can you tell the difference?  If the product materials are the same....is the outcome the same?  It would seem that homeowners are in the drivers seat, for sure.

But is this the case?  In business as it relates to hiring employees there is an expression: "hire slow, fire fast."  This takes great disciple whether you are the business owner or a manager.  Take the common sense approach to employee hiring practices and apply them to hiring a remodeler for your home improvement.  After all, you will be partnered with them for a long time - it's not like you are just going out to dinner for an hour or that you are purchasing an already manufactured product you can touch, see and feel before purchasing.  The sun room cost should not be the only factor in your buying decision.  Sometimes there are costs beyond the price of the contract!

Don't just use Yellowpages.com, Valpak, Advo, Clipper, Oakland Living, RSVP, or the local directory to find a contractor.  Search the web, ask around for neighbors and friends referrals, inquire with your community building department "which companies pull permits for the type of work you need?".  Be concerned of contractors who don't pull permits.

Be especially concerned of shared direct mail pieces and the advertisers within.  It is not that costly for a new, inexperienced company to build immediate credibility by putting an advertisement in one of these mailers.  Be especially conservative about using contractors affiliated with big box stores.  (A big box store could be something like: Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's Club, Costco, etc.,. )  The contractors must pay the big box store a commission ranging from 6%-15% for each sale. The contractor must also pay their design person's commission.   This is in addition to their costs the contractor incurs  to set-up, staff, stock information at these often roaming trade show exhibits.  Some big box stores expect a rental compensation regardless of sales.  This is a very costly way to obtain new clients.  Why don't these contractors have more new clients coming from referrals from past clients...or from their overall reputation as the best at what they do.

While this arrangement makes sense for a small project contractor that is hard to find for low dollar ticket purchases - say a new kitchen counter or water heater.  But for big ticket items...think about it!  These contractors must pass these marketing costs onto you so consider an apples to apples comparison:  If a sunroom via a big box contractor costs $30,000 vs. a sunroom from Four Seasons Sunrooms for $30,000....is the majority of my investment going toward the content of my project with the big box purchase or are there numerous layers of marketing and commission expense scraped off the top leaving only $23,000 toward my sun room purchase?

One final caveat.  Conservatories are what we do.  We install high performance, tempered glass throughout.  A polycarbonate, plastic, or alternative material is not going to keep you comfortable in any season and you won't be able to see out it during the day.  Yes you would still have a light filled room....but that is the only advantage.  We are the experts for conservatories and sunrooms and sun room installation.  Please don't let anyone tell you otherwise.