Winter is an excellent time to seek
value in patio hardscapes. You may not
be thinking of having Christmas dinner outside, but it could cost you to wait
until your first backyard BBQ is around the corner to upgrade your outdoor
living environment. All the contractors
worth their salt are met with a barrage of anxious customers when that first
warm Colorado
day heralds spring. The schedules fill
up fast, stretch throughout summer, and priority work comes at a premium. Every year I speak to a few homeowners who are
trying to build a patio or an outdoor kitchen in time for their son’s
graduation party or a daughter’s wedding.
During the “off season” contractors
definitely have the capacity to plan & estimate your project, and if
weather permits, they may have the motivation to work at reduced margins to
benefit their labor force, which might be facing a diminishing workload. If you are flexible enough to let them work
around the weather, winter construction can present an excellent value. If maximum value is the primary consideration,
tell your contractor. They may be able to find specials on certain material,
but be open to suggestions. If timing
and budget is more of a concern, you can schedule the construction and cost in
the early spring, and you will still reap the benefit of good planning with a
contractor motivated to earn your business.
At any time of year, don’t make
price your only concern when shopping for contractors. Less qualified tradesmen can feel more
pressure to undercut a competitive market, which usually leads to an
installation that does not meet minimum specifications. You want the job done right and you want it to
stand up to the harsh elements of the Front Range .
Longevity must be figured in to the
value of any construction project, and sometimes a dollar spent today is worth
several 10 years or more into the life of your investment. Ask neighbors for referrals
or consult a resource like Arbor
Valley
