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It's Not Hard to Find Good Help
A site offers information on home improvements as well as a directory to find contractors.
BY CHRIS LEPORINI
If you you're like most real estate professionals, you have a list of contractors you regularly recommend. But if all your top picks are busy, or you need a contractor with an unusual skill to help a new homebuyer, Contractor.com may give you a solution.
The homeowners' section of this site has a fully searchable contractor database. It's subdivided into trade sections, from remodeling and repair to specialties such as hot tub installers. You can also search by key word or company name. Search results yield a good number of options in most categories, and each contractor's entry gives you such useful information as years in the business, areas served, specialties, and whether the company's focus is major construction or repair. Contact information includes an e-mail and a Web site link (where available) as well as address and phone. Each contractor also receives a rating from past users on timeliness, cost consciousness, and workmanship.
If your clients aren't sure which contractor to hire, just fill in the desired project's square footage and an anticipated budget, and the site e-mails you estimates from contractors in your area.
A great feature for prospective sellers who are torn between a new house and a remodeling is the "Move vs. Improve" spreadsheet. This useful tool helps users judge whether it's cheaper to upgrade their property or buy a new home. The analysis asks users to outline their housing need and priorities—another bedroom for the children, a room for hobbies, or a bigger kitchen. The spreadsheet then calculates a comparison between the financial costs of improvements to your current house versus the other houses you are considering. Though a bit number-heavy, the tool could help show undecided homebuyers or sellers which course of action is right for them.
A related feature is the home remodeling payback link, which allows you to compare its costs to the value it will add to your home's resale value. This tool can help a new homeowner evaluate whether it's would be worthwhile to make an improvement.
When your buyers want to remodel before they move in or your sellers need to spruce up things before putting their house on the market, and you're stuck for a contractor to suggest to them,
Contractor.com can lend a hand.
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