Trying to choose a Toronto renovator? You might wonder, what kind of contractor do I need? In this article we will discuss three types of Contractors homeowners commonly need.
- Handyman: Typically handles small jobs of $5,000 or less and usually charges an hourly rate plus materials or a fixed price.
- Specialty Contractor: Usually handles projects that involve one trade such as installing windows and doors. These usually charge a fixed price ranging anywhere from $1,500 all the way up to $50,000.
- General Contractor: Almost always handles projects from $20,000 upwards and usually charges a fixed price.
How to Choose a Contractor Type
Considering the following will help you select the right kind of Toronto renovator:
- If you just need to do cosmetic changes such as caulking, installing shelving, repairing walls and painting touch ups, you might find that a Handyman gives you the best bang for your buck.
- If you want one thing done but on large portions of the house, then a specialty contractor would be best. For example, if you want your whole house painted, you hire a painter and not a general contractor.
- If you want changes made to your space that are going to require three or more trades, e.g. Plumber, Electrician, HVAC, Framer etc., then it is best to hire a general contractor.
Why Set a Budget?
In addition to what you want done, careful consideration should be given to your budget before contacting any contractor. Now you might think, “Wait a minute. If I tell the contractor what my budget is during our first consultation, then he won’t give me a good deal.” On the surface that looks like good reasoning, but consider the following:
- Some companies are just not setup to do projects below a certain minimum. You could waste both your time and the time of the contractor if you do not first establish a budget.
- Your budget will determine what type of finishes the contractor will include in his estimate. For example, he may need to quote you a prefabricated shower unit rather than a custom shower in order to stay within your budget.
- You are the one paying for the renovation, not the contractor, so you will want to have clearly in mind what you intend to spend. If your expectation of pricing is too low for what you want, the contractor will let you know.
Getting a Proper Quote
Critical to avoid misunderstandings is to have your Toronto renovator prepare a detailed quote. A proper quote is the result of sitting down with you and getting as much details as possible about what you want to accomplish, then spending time crunching the numbers to arrive at a price. This involves work for which many contractors do not charge, such as consulting with suppliers, sub trades and a huge time investment.
A Contract Protects You Too!
A good Toronto renovator, whether it be a contractor or handyman, will provide you with an estimate/proposal. If you decide to use his services, a written legally binding agreement/contract is signed by both parties. This is a protection not only for the contractor, but for you as well. If anything goes wrong, then you have legal recourse. If you watch Judge Judy, then you know what I mean.
In conclusion, when selecting a Toronto renovator, whatever you intend to do, you must figure out what type of contractor will best suit your needs. When you have decided that, then you will have narrowed down significantly the number of companies to consider when searching for a Toronto renovator. In a future article we will discuss what to look for in a good contractor.