|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas Prices Starting To Affect Home Improvement Plans  |
| |
 With the cost of everything we buy, particularly gasoline, on the rise, most service companies are passing on the increased costs to consumers. Angie’s List, the nations leading Ratings and Review Company, is warning service providers to be honest and upfront with how they pass those costs on to their customers.
They surveyed more than 1700 service companies to find out how increased gasoline costs were affecting service. In addition, a survey of Angie’s List users reveled that the average member plans to spend $11,250 on home improvement and maintenance this year.
The exclusive Angie’s List poll showed:
• 85 percent of service providers say the gas prices have affected their bottom lines.
• 60 percent are passing costs on through fuel surcharges or basic service rates.
• 43 percent of the companies say their customers understand why rates are going up.
• Only 9 percent of customers responded angrily to the higher bills.
Their advice to members is to keep communicating with your service company so you're not surprised, and be flexible. If you can wait for a service until the company can send one truck to the same area to assist multiple customers, you'll come out ahead in the long run.
Other advice:
• Know what you're paying for: Insist on itemized charges related to fuel costs so you know exactly what you are paying for.
• Don't get tripped up: If you'll be charged a trip fee just for the estimate, find out if that cost will be taken off your final bill if you choose that contractor for the job.
• Be creative: If your contractor – lawn service, dog walker, errand service, housekeeper, or tutor – has more than one customer in your neighborhood, see if you can coordinate service calls to cut down on your contractor’s fuel costs, and minimize the pass-through.
• Prioritize: If you have an emergency service need, be smart in your hiring decision. Getting your issue resolved now -- even if you have to pay a fuel surcharge -- could still save you money in the long run.
• Comparison shop: If you're just getting started on your project, add fuel cost questions to your list of things to ask about, and don't be afraid to negotiate.
|
|
 SafeQuote is the latest breakthrough in online shopping: for home improvement projects. It is a free tool that makes finding contractors an easy (even fun) experience. Site users can search for contractors from the member list or by job category, such as Kitchen, Bath, Finished Basements, and more. You can also post jobs and receive no-obligation quotes to choose from. Click Here to Get Started
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|