Beginning the biding process for a home improvement project can be a daunting task but with a few simple tips you can get through the initial bidding process with no pain. One of the most requested quotes at my remodeling firm is the kitchen addition. There’s plenty to get nervous about here, these are two major home improvement projects wrapped into one. So let’s get started by using a kitchen addition as an example.
Start by considering what type of home you have, is it a large one of a kind custom home, or is it a home that looks somewhat similar to the homes in your area. If the first is true of your home start with customs drawings. Typically an architect / designer are not required, but one will be helpful with blending into a unique design. If the latter best describes your home here’s a great cost saving tip, start by explaining your kitchen addition to a few home improvement contractors. A quality contractor will have their own in-house architectural design department and have designed hundreds of kitchen additions. More importantly they probably have built many kitchen additions like the one you intend to have built onto your home. Ask to see some plans from past projects and once you’ve found a few similar to your project the contractor should be able to tell you what those past kitchen additions cost. This will allow you to get preliminary prices without the expense of architectural drawings. Just keep in mind that those prices will only give you an approximation of what your addition might cost, but it gives you the ability to decide whether to pursue your project any further.
If the project still sounds like a good idea then on to the next tip; create a set of specifications. This is the document you’ll be handing to your contractor. It should include every thing the contractor needs to know to price the project. In its simplest form it is a list of all your wants, needs, and material selections. The more complete your able to make this document the better the chance your contractor will be bidding the project correctly. The specifications will also give you an insight into the contractor willingness to work with you. If the a contractor did not follow the specifications in his quote than he’s not likely to put in the extra effort it takes to give you the finished results you expect.
