Comparing Estimates
How do you understand which estimate provides the most value and which contractor can delivery on their promises?
Assessing Risk
Most homeowners can not afford to re-do a remodel if they don’t like the results.
The best way to access risk is to ask your contractor questions about process… how do they handle specific situations… good contractors have clear processes in place to ensure consistent results.
If your contractor sets clear expectations and then meets or exceeds them at every step that is a good sign you can trust them to deliver.
Assessing The Estimate Process
A good estimate process uses historical costs data and detailed measurements to calculate costs. The scope of work should be listed in detail and material costs should be line itemed.
What Should Be Included
Some estimates are lower because they are missing important parts of the process. A complete remodeling estimate should include costs for:
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- Design, materail selection and planning
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- Permits, Ordering and storage of materials
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- Scheduling, delivery and Daily project management
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- Debris removal and daily cleaning
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- Warranty and follow up
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Why we might cost more:
Our Turn Key Approach
We have a in-house design team and showroom and make remodeling easy for you.
Our competitors do not.
Our Expertise
Our staff are well trained experts in design, construction and material selection.
Our competitors are generalists.
Service
Our team set clear expectations, plan carefully and listen & respond quickly.
Our competitors figure it out as they go.
No shortcuts
We provide custom design & construction and think through every detail.
Our competitors do ‘cookie cutter’ remodels.
We take care of our staff
We pay competitive salaries with insurance, PTO & training so we attract the best.
Our competitors hire low cost labor.
If you compare us to companies that provide a similar level of quality and service you’ll find our prices are competitive.
If you compare us to traditional contractors who do not provide in-house design services, do not have a showroom and do not provide the level of service we do then we do seem to cost more.
Compare
**Kitchen & bath remodeling is a specialty. Not all contractors have proper experience.
**Kitchen & bath design is also a specialty and not all designers have specific training for it.
**Some contractors do have project managers on site every day but it is rare.
**Not all designers use modern software with 3D rendering capability.
The Contractor Price Trap
Unfortunately, many contractors underchange for their services. Some use low bids as a sales tool to get your business, then make excuses for higher costs in design or during construction.
Others just don’t know how to estimate properly so they undercharge and can never afford to invest in training, staff and tools to do high quality work.
These lower costs might seem like they benefit you but often they lead to delays, suprise costs and regret.
When contractors undercharge:
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- They can only hire low cost staff and sub contractors
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- They take shortcuts to save money or ‘job hop’ to get the next payment
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- They don’t have time to do proper planning or keep up with client communication.
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- They are constantly stressed and overworked which can cause bad decision making.
When you hear stories of remodeling projects gone wrong these things are often the cause. The trap of lower cost contractors is low initial price that can ‘trap’ you with surprise costs, delays and regrets.
Our 6 Point Promise
a Clean, Organized & Safe jobsite
HEPA filters, dust barriers, negetive air fans, floor protection, furniture protection & more keep your home clean and safe.
expert Design & material Selection
Work with experienced designers to create your design and select all your materials & fixtures.
Quality workmanship at every step
We carefully select and onboard our installers and trade partners and only work with the best in Tallahassee.
material Ordering and Delivery
We order all your materials in advance and store them in our warehouse until they are needed on site.
5 year Warranty and Follow Up Process
We back all our work with an industry leading 5 year warranty, a 6 month “tune up” visit and annual check ins.
dedicated Project Management
During construction your project manager takes care of everthing and keeps you updated daily.
