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17 December 2013

Considering A Redesign? Beware Of Rock-Bottom Bidding

By Vickie Daeley


If you are ready to redesign your home's interior, you might be thinking about doing the job yourself or perhaps hiring contractors to take on some of the tasks. Sadly, people often choose a contractor because they come in with the lowest bid, but this practice rarely results in the high quality finished design that you want.

Often we talk with people who have suffered from the curse of the low-bidding contractor. This is the contractor who assured he could finish on time for a low cost with a high quality finished product. But the end result was a disaster featuring sloppy workmanship or perhaps it could weeks longer than scheduled or maybe "hidden expenses" just happen to pop up. Whatever the problems, it is frustrating to spend your hard-earned money and be disappointed in the results.

Contractors often bid low as a negotiating tool without really taking a good look at the project. You might have three bids and one comes in 15% lower than rest. While you might be tempted to take that bid, ask questions and find out why the bid is low. Perhaps they aren't properly licensed and figure if you save money, you will ignore this problem. Competent contractors tend to vary little in their pricing or in their estimation of how long a job will take and the feasibility of a job.

Often we are flying blind when selecting a contractor which is why it makes better sense to simply hire a good interior designer and let them handle the process of contractor selection. After all, these design professionals not only know how to transform the look of your home on paper but they also can make this design a reality. Plus, they already know a myriad of top contractors for virtually any type of job, so you don't have to waste time fretting over whether or not you picked a good contractor.

We all want to get our money's worth, but you shouldn't approach hiring a decorator as if it is just an extra expense. It could be the best way to make sure each penny you spend has been utilized in the best possible way. A designer can stick within your budget, while finding you great deals on furnishings, light fixtures, appliances, decorative items, flooring and much more.

So don't be fooled by the lowest bidder in the room. Often the money you save will be used to repair the shoddy work of the contractor. It's best to find a designer who can create functional, beautiful living spaces that truly last for many years and are worth every penny that you spent.




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