Here's a simple money saving tip from the July/August issue of The Family Handyman magazine:
Most building trades have busy seasons and slow seasons. Plan ahead, and you'll get more competitive bids during the slow seasons.
Not only that, but you'll get better service (less people taking up their time). We try to do this as much as possible -- plan ahead -- as it does substantially cut down on costs (my estimate is as much as 20% savings) as well as hassles from them being "too busy."
What are the key slow seasons for various home repairs? Here's what the magazine suggests:
- Roofing -- Cold or rainy months (which, btw, is almost any month in Michigan -- other than the past couple months) ;-)
- Indoor renovations -- Winter or during rainy months
- Heating -- Late summer, before fall
- Air conditioning -- Late winter or early spring (translation: June in Michigan) ;-)
- Chimney cleaning -- Anytime except fall!
- Project design (architects) -- Fall and winter
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