We get emails from online trade magazines all of the time with updates on technology trends, business advice, and every now and then, pictures of great... and not-so-great work. Looking at these I wonder, do you really save more when you go with the least expensive guy? 

 

In the short-term, sure you may save money.  But will the project turn into a nightmare and look like this when complete?   If so, you may have Internet, communication, or phone issues, end up paying more for service calls (extra time spent tracking a wiring issue) or you may need to hire another contractor to play Mr. Fixit.  When this happens, was the end result really worth the initial savings?

 

You can prevent this by choosing the right contractor for you and your project.  Here are a few tips to consider:

 

-  In today's world where websites fill in for late-night gift shopping, having a website is imperative.  It doesn't have to be the best site ever, but it should exist!  You'd be surprised by the amount of electronic system contractors - who are supposed to be in touch with technology - that do not have a website. 

 

- When you speak to a salesperson, are they interested in selling you stuff - or are they interested in selling solutions that are right for you?  If you only hear about the electronics and how 'cool' they are, you are being sold stuff... cool stuff - but it might not be right for your project.  Instead, look for an electronic systems contractor that can paint a picture for you on how these electronics can be used in your home.  Really great electronics are worthless if you can't use or enjoy them in your space.

 

- Ask for references and call to check them!  Your chosen contractor should be able to walk you through previous projects (with permission, of course), show what would be similar (or dissimilar) to your project, and demonstrate (in a real-world setting) how systems interact.

 

- If you do your homework and still end up with a problematic system, chances are good that it can still be fixed just as the image below demonstrates. 

(To see other nightmare projects from CEPro's article,

just click here.)

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