How can you get an idea of a fair price for home repairs and contracting?

Question

I get some random estimates for home repairs...how do you know what is fair for a price? I feel like it is easy to get taken in, and I am not super knowledgeable about how much work something actually takes.

Answer 1

okyyyyyyyyyyy i will answer your question but first answer my question

Answer 2

sadly no, but a good rule of thumb is to get 5 estimates and you will get a nice range of prices to choose from. Every job is different and so no 2 prices will ever be the same.

Answer 3

You should always get at least 3 estimates.  If they are all way different get a few more.  Talk to people you know and get referrals.  Word of mouth is the best advertisement for contractors.  You should consider a bid in the middle range of the estimates that you get and consider how the company works.  Do they stick with one job until the job is done or do they start 3 or 4 jobs at once and finish whenever.

To answer your other question, you can figure Labor costs to be about 60% of the job total.

Answer 4

You get several quotes and compare them.  You can ask family and friends who have had work done what they spent.  There’s no guide book because prices are set by each contractor.

Answer 5

You need at least three estimates. Have each contractor detail each job that they will perform along with the warranty information that they will provide or if they have insurance to cover accidents, or incidents of damage they may cause to your property as a result of the work being done. Check them out with the Better Business bureau in your county and make sure they are licensed and bonded for the work they want to perform. Never shop based on price alone but weigh what you will get in reassurance that the job is performed satisfactorily and limited number of surprises concerning the price (get a fixed price if possible) as that is how the supposed cheap labor will get you. Suddenly you are spending $100 more here and there. Yikes!!! Repair work varies regionally so no one will be able to tell you costs and there is no blue book for such events or else someone would be very rich indeed.

Answer 6

get at least 3-5 estimates and references from each. Then you have a better idea on the work each contractor does.