6 criteria for determine the best patio material in Maryland and Virginia

If you’re considering adding a patio to your house, you’re probably wondering what materials are best to use. Should you use flagstones? What about pavers? How can you get the best possible patio for you? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a simple one, and that last question should largely tell you why – because it depends on what you want and can afford.

When considering contractors for your decking, addition, or home improvement project, it can be tempting to choose the one who promises to get the job done for the lowest cost, especially if you’re working within a tighter budget. But while hiring a low-cost contractor may seem like a good way to save money at first, doing so can end up costing you a lot more down the line.

“Change order”—it’s a common phrase you hear contractors throw around, and one you may be unfamiliar with if you don’t have extensive experience with the construction industry. But when choosing a contractor for your home improvement project, the concept of a change order is an important one to understand.

Cost factors for estimates by experienced contractors versus discount builders in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

In a previous post, we discussed the how contractors determine the prices they charge for home improvement jobs. They generally break their estimate figures into thirds between (1) materials, (2) labor, and (3) overheads and profit. Why, then, do so-called design build firms and other higher quality contractors oftentimes offer higher initial estimates than their discount competitors? Are they simply charging more money for comparable work?

General Contracting and the Rule of Thirds

When a leaky pipe needs fixing, a porch needs building, or a house needs remodeling, many homeowners hire a contractor to get the job done. Home improvement contractors are those who agree to fulfill the demands of a contract securing a service between two or more people within the context of the interior remodeling and outdoor living space industry. In any standard contract, money is exchanged for these services, but where do contractors get their price quotes from, and how can you tell if their estimate is legitimate?