Why Hire Professional Contractors? Soliciting Bids - Estimates and References
Why hire a professional kitchen or bathroom remodeling contractor? It is immediately apparent that you might hire a professional to do a job that you do not want to do or that is beyond your home remodeling abilities. But if you wish to, virtually all professionals can supply the materials for their particular tasks.
Moreover, professionals can buy materials at wholesale prices. Even if they mark up materials, the price maybe less than you would pay in a retail store. You will also find that certain manufacturers distribute their wares only to the professional trade. Often there's higher priced, unusually higher quality goods.
Professionals also simplify responsibilities for the bathroom and shower remodeling jobs they place, subject to the terms of your contract. They make sure each product is the correct size, shape and color. Finally, a trained professional can detect problems or possibilities you have not perceived.
Although you may change your mind, you should make some rough estimates on what you want to do yourself and what you want to hire out before you solicit kitchen and bathroom remodeling bids. Otherwise, you won't know what you're asking a professional to bid on. Just materials? Just a consultation? Just labor? Or all three?
By categorizing various jobs, including an estimate of the time each task will take, you will be able to lay the professionals price against the cost of your own time, and determine where you can save the most money by doing your own kitchen and bathroom work.
When you evaluated all the estimates, you'll want to reassess the cost of your project. If costs are too high, you may need to scale down your project to something more affordable. If you decide you want to do more yourself, you may expand the timetable for the project. But ultimately you will achieve a balance of design, time, and budget and can make your final plans, draw up a list of materials you will actually want to purchase, and develop your schedule.
For each item you decide to purchase, you'll find it helpful to have the following info:
- Manufacturer
- Name and Model Number
- Color (can be specific)
- Material
- Size or measurements
- Quantity
- Unit price
- Total price
- Date of Order
- Projected Date of Delivery
- Second Choice
