Contractors in Minnesota

[Tyler Santos]

I'm looking to meet contractors in the Minneapolis area who do work as far out as Elko New Market. I'm looking for systems and education on estimating repair costs so that I can put together accurate budgets, timelines, costs, etc. 

[James Hamling]

@Tyler Santos Elko New Market is way too far out for decent crews busy in Mpls market, you want to find S.Metro/ SW Metro Crews. Think Burnsville, Lakeville based co.'s/crews, or Shakopee/Chan.. That is where I would look, or Northfield/ Fairbault. 

For the estimating component, ClearEstimates is your best bet in my opinion, just remember to read and follow there set-up steps which includes downloading market pricing date (it's included for free just have to designate the exact market for it to get accurate cost data). It's really easy to use. 

When using a cost data calculator like ClearEstimates REMEMBER it is a COST data basis, NOT what you will be able to hire a contractor at. To also know that # simply go through set-up as if you were using it to run a construction company, it will have you add your calculations for overhead, profit, tax's, the whole-9. With that you will be able to build out a project estimate, print out a report which will give you the market $ which is what you'd pay if hiring a GC, AND you can print off a cost report for same project seeing what material and labor costs should be, complete break down. 

As a word of caution, if your thinking you can use that to beat people's prices down and your installer selection method will simply be whoever accepts the lowest cheapest price, just remember that selection process when things go bad and your pulling your hair out screaming "why.... WHY...", because that selection methodology is why. 

The "sweet spot" is VALUE, a fair price for fair work, which means installers and GC's make a fair profit. I pay my crews damn well, and I expect matching quality and production, and I get it, we have a win-win relationship. I save untold $ by not having to constantly search for more & more crews each week, I actually have crews calling me applying to work with me, because they know I have the work for them and I treat them good, pay well and have clear expectations of what I require in return. In turn I get to focus on the business and not HR and warranty service work. 

Hope this is of help,