How To Compare Mulitple Bids From Contractors!

How to compare multiple bids

Many consumers seek multiple bids when choosing a contractor for their flooring or remodeling project.  Whether you are installing floors of tile, hardwood, laminate or carpet or large bathroom or kitchen remodel projects, it is important to visit with a few different companies or stores. All contractors understand how important price is to your decision making process.  It is important you understand the pitfalls of only considering price when there are so many other factors that affect your decision.  In order for you to be able to compare price, all the proposals have to be for the same project, the same products, the same specifications, and the same quality of work.  This is almost impossible to realize.  What if you took one small, easily definable, part of the project and asked a couple of contractors how much they would charge for that element of the project?  Most contractors will try very hard to give you what you want at the price you want to pay.  They will even find cheap products and inexpensive subcontractors to help you meet your budget.  So please be careful what you ask for and how you ask for it, you want to make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your investment in your remodeling project.

Keep in mind the lowest bid may not necessarily be the best bid and that an unusually low bid may be cause for alarm.  For instance the contractor or company with the lowest bid may not fully understand the project’s scope; may be inexperienced and is underestimating the amount of labor and materials required; or may be planning to cut corners by using inferior materials, low-paid, inexperienced workers, or not following local building codes.  You could end up paying to repair or replace work much sooner than if the construction was done by qualified workers with quality materials.  

Some contractors play a little game where they won’t give you an “apple” to compare to an “apple”.  They will give you a bid for something that is slightly different from their competitor’s bid so you can’t compare evenly.  Find a contractor that will listen to you and be respectful of your budget and is open about their pricing and what flooring or remodeling projects they will utilize in your project. A good and honest contractor won’t try to sell you things you don’t ask for or that are different than what you want.

Brian Heltzel
The Floor Barn
http://www.floorbarn.com
Twitter: @floorbarn
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/floorbarn

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