Contractor FAQs
Q: Why should I become a Fixitupforless.com member?
A:
- You immediately become a national contractor. Membership gives you access to projects across the country without ever leaving your home and family.
- Prices vary significantly in different regions/markets. You can exploit these differences for additional profits of up to 30% over your current net margins.
- You can plan your work schedule to minimize your time away from your home and family.
- You can tailor your bids to take advantage of the economies of scale, planning multiple projects in one area.
- You get the advantage of knowing the price your prospect has before you bid!
Q: What memberships are offered and what is included?
A: There are three levels of membership:
- Full annual membership
- search and bid on any/all project listings
- company listing on homeowner search by trade
- company listing on homeowner search by zip
- company listing on contractor search by trade
- company listing on contractor search by zip
- Pay to Bid Membership NEW!
- Only pay when you wish to bid on a project
- Listing only/Preferred
- Company listing on homeowner search by trade
- Company listing on homeowner search by zip
- Company listing on contractor search by trade
- Company listing on contractor search by zip
- Listing only
- Company listing on homeowner search by trade with zip
Q: What does Fixitupforless.com cost?
A: An annual membership fee plus a commission on each job sold depending on the membership level. See Pricing Schedule (PDF)
Q: Will I be the only bidder on a project?
A: No, you will be bidding against other Fixitupforless.com members. Home Improvement customers will be able to sort their bids by price, customer rating, or location.
Q: What if I need help from another tradesman to complete my bid?
A: You will have access to other tradesman members of Fixitupforless.com through our site's contractor search function. You will be able to email and ask for help by job! See Logistics Support
Q: Will I be able to see other member's bids?
A: No, essentially this is a reverse auction for work. The customer posts their price and you bid against it factoring in all your costs and margins.
Q: How do I get my equipment and supplies to the job site?
A: Fixitupforless.com's staff can help to arrange this for an additional charge. See Logistics Support
Q: What about permitting and other local requirements?
A: Responsibility for local requirements should be spelled out in your contract (consult your attorney). If you decide to include these costs, Fixitupforless.com's staff can help you make the arrangements for an additional charge. See Logistics Support
Q: How will a customer know about my company?
A: You will have a profile with complete information on you and/or your company. It can include references, referrals, business associations, ratings site links, professional associations and the like. You can also link to your web site (a Fixitupforless.com partner can design one if you don't have one. Visit VC Web Design for more information). Fixitupforless.com will also have a customer posting board and rating system that will be attached to your profile.
Q: Can I contact the customer directly?
A: At the customer's discretion and only when your bid is chosen. Questions before then can be directed to the customer through Fixitupforless.com. See also Logistics Support
Q: What if the description of work is not detailed enough for me?
A: Your contract should stipulate you are pricing only the work as described. Other members will do the same. If you win the job, you can contact the customer before accepting the job (note: commissions will still be payable to Fixitupforless.com for work won but not consummated) [link to membership agreement] or you can request help through FixItUpForLess.com. See Logistics Support
Q: How do I contract with the customer?
A: A copy of your contract (consult your attorney) will be attached to your profile. If your bid is accepted, a copy of it will automatically be sent to the homeowner for approval. It will then be sent back to you for affirmation and acceptance.
Q: How do I get paid?
A: The customer will choose from financing options and submit a deposit with your agreement. The deposit will be placed in escrow by Fixitupforless.com until work has begun. Once commencement has been confirmed the deposit is credited to you net of your Fixitforless.com commission obligations. Collection of further payments is your responsibility and should be detailed in your contract (consult your attorney) and/or with the Fixitupforless.com financing partner.
Q: What if the customer cancels?
A: Your contract should stipulate damages (consult your attorney).
Q: What about call backs and warranty work?
A: Fixitupforless.com has a national warranty company partner that you can retain to service your client(s) for an additional charge.
Q: What about disputes?
A: Your contract should stipulate all remedies (consult your attorney). Fixitupforless.com assumes no liability for the workmanship or the service you undertake. You agree and acknowledge as part of your membership that Fixitupforless.com is only a facilitator of the transaction, introducing buyer to seller and not party to the transaction itself. [link to member contract, terms of use] Customers can rate your performance and post comments on the Fixitforless.com site. Continual low rating(s) and customer satisfaction may result in the cancellation of your membership. Fixitupforless.com reserves the sole right to expel members for any reason.
Q: Your site says you screen your members, in what way?
A: You agree that a credit report, BBB and/or a criminal background report can be requested at the discretion of Fixitupforless.com.
Q: What if we agree to work but can't start as agreed?
A: As part of your Fixitupforless.com membership, you agree to post an appearance bond at the sole discretion of Fixitupforless.com and/or the customer. See Membership Agreement