How to Hire General Contractors for Emergency Repairs

Emergencies happen within your home at inconvenient times. You should not have to wait days to have emergency repairs taken care of or estimates to come in for those repairs. It is important to stress that the situation is urgent and requires emergency attention. The steps below will help you get contractors fast to remedy the emergency.

Consider Independent General Contractors

Independent general contractors work for themselves, which means they have some flexibility in their pricing. This does not mean that their quality is any less than a major service provider’s as independent workers rely on satisfied customers to pay their bills. It is important to speak with the general contractor regarding his billing process, as some will take payments for major repairs.

Take Bids from Major Service Providers

While major service providers don’t have any leeway in adjusting prices, some may have service deals for your emergent situation that may be less than an estimate from an independent contractor. Major service providers often charge a service fee, which is standard. General contractors often charge a “trip fee” for coming out. Major service providers also likely have stock of common parts, which reduces the time of the repair’s completion.

Consider Estimate and Timeline

Choosing the cheapest estimate is not always the best idea. You may end up receiving shoddy work that takes longer than estimated. The timeline of the project is important, because urgent repairs often cannot wait until the next day or later in the week. Request an itemized estimate, and have your bidders write their timeline for the project on the estimate. This puts the spoken words into action, as they are part of the estimate.

Quickly Check References and Certifications

When an emergency home repair is needed, you do not have much time to check references or certifications, but these steps should not be missed. Call references to verify workmanship and demeanor that do not appear to be a friend or family member.

General contractors are required to carry proper licensing and certifications. At least check that these certifications and licenses are valid and in good standing. In most cases, you can check the validity of licensing online.

Closing Thoughts

Many homeowners, especially those on strict budgets, will pick the cheapest estimate regardless of the situation. As the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for”. Sometimes paying a little bit more for better service and a more professional repair is the way to go.