How to Get the Best Deal on Home Repair Services

At some point in time, every homeowner has to repair something. It may be a busted water heater, a leaking pipe or a faulty electrical system. No matter the repair, you know it will cost you – big time. Naturally, you want to get the biggest bang for your buck. Here’s how to get the best deal on home repair services.

1. Get Multiple Bids – And Announce Them

As a general rule of thumb, experts recommend getting at least three bids or estimates before making a decision. Let each service provider know that you’re getting multiple estimates. Making this announcement will let each company know that you’re conscious of your budget, they have competition, and they better give you the best possible price.Does that mean you should hire the company with the lowest estimate? Not necessarily. Quality, reliability, and professionalism should come before cost – always. Still, the competition for your business will drive down prices automatically.

2. Be Willing to Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get Your Hands Dirty

If you’re not afraid of a little hard work, you might consider rolling up your sleeves and doing some of the work yourself. Doing so could lower the cost of the service because there’s less work for the company to do.

Of course, this tip won’t apply to every project. If your home’s electrical system is on the fritz, finding a certified electrician is the better option. Unless you have experience in this department, you could be putting your life at risk. For other simple repairs that aren’t dangerous, doing some of the work yourself could save you quite a bit of money. In some cases, taking a DIY approach can save you thousands of dollars.

3. Ask for Advice on Lowering Costs

Instead of straight up asking for a lower price, try asking for advice on how you can save money on the repairs. If you have a budget that you need to stick to, let the technician know and ask for recommendations on how to bring costs down. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, as the saying goes, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask for cost-saving recommendations.

4. Know the True Cost of Supplies

Take the time to research each company you consider and take a look at the competition. One advantage of getting multiple bids is that you can compare prices to see if one company is charging a significant amount more than the others. You might also want to research the materials needed for the job and how much they cost. This will help you determine if the service provider is marking up the cost or estimating materials at a fair price.

If you feel so inclined, you can also choose to purchase your own supplies. This can lower the cost of the job significantly in some cases. Most companies use one vendor for their supplies, so they’re probably not shopping around for the best prices. By purchasing your own supplies, you can make sure that you get the lowest price (don’t overlook quality) and save on the project.