Why shouldn’t I just pick the cheapest estimate? Doesn’t my project have to be built according to the plans and to certain codes?
A. Not necessarily. Renovation is not like buying a commodity such as a new automobile. There is little risk in a new car because you are buying a newly manufactured product. Renovation is more like buying a pre-owned automobile. You don’t know what you are getting until you own it awhile. The bigger question is always “what happens if…?” The worst story for a homeowner is if a builder cannot finish (without more money of course) because he/she under-bid your project. Ask anyone who has gone through it, it is a nightmare. Do your homework. Check their references and suppliers, visit their current projects and know what you are investing in before you contract. Unfortunately, many people spend more time and effort researching the purchase of a $1,000 home appliance than they do for a home renovation.
Related Questions
- Among the criteria to reject all bids are that (1) the bid exceeds the project estimate, or (2) the bid exceeds the appropriation. Doesn’t the project estimate have to equal the appropriation?
- Why shouldn’t I just pick the cheapest estimate? Doesn’t my project have to be built according to the plans and to certain codes?
- How do I obtain plans and specifications for an upcoming construction project?
