How do allowances work?
Allowances are not as mystical as they may seem. Its fairly simple. For example, we may list an allowance of $500 for new flooring. You decide you want to upgrade your tile selection and the total for flooring ends of being $750. You pay an extra $250 for the upgrade. Its that simple. Why allowances? It is common for us to include allowances for some items in our specifications. For example, we may have allowances for plumbing work, flooring, cabinetry and countertops. These are items that have yet to be selected or items that may change in selection. While we try to include items that match our clients taste, the style of their home and their budget, allowances allow our clients to get the feel of their newly remodeled space before making a final selection for those materials. As a result, our clients avoid a lot of upfront legwork in choosing materials that may ultimately change once they see their new space.
