I think we've decided to move forward with the third bid. I just emailed him this list of questions, most of which I think I already know the answer to but I want in writing:
1. I'm assuming we'll get a detailed contract that breaks out costs for materials & labor into line items. That should allow us to apply savings in one area to another, yes? (Example: If $300 is budgeted for tile, and it costs $250, then that $50 in materials can be applied towards the bathroom vanity or some other area).
2. I'm sure you have vendors for most of the materials that you would recommend, and probably are able to purchase at a lower rate than we are. How should we make tile, carpet etc. selections? What if we purchase materials ourselves?
3. When could work begin, and roughly how long do you estimate for completion? Is there permitting or issuance of insurance certificates that needs to take place first?
4. After reviewing your portfolio we realized that storage and shelf space could be an issue, and wanted to know how much it would cost to add some shelving (kinda like in your image (57).jpg) into the main room. I've marked where we thought might be a good place on the attached floorplan. It's a wishlist item since we're right at our budget right now, but wanted to ask while we were at this stage of the game.
Unless someone minds, I'll probably just keep updating this thread as things go along. I am way outside my area of expertise with all of this, and you guys have been ultra helpful so far.
#1. This is hard to do and just pisses the contractor off more. If there is a budget for a material , obviously he needs to tell you what it is but you must take into account ,mortar, grout, backer board, screws( which cost a small fortune for backer boards, fiberglass mesh tape, caulking, sponges, buckets, bits, tape and it goes on and on. Don't try to nickel and dime your contractor to death. I always leave Tile, fixtures, hardwood and whatnot to the homeowner and not even include it in the bid. Pick it out, pay for it, I'll pick it up. Trying to tell me I can use $10 mortar when I use $30 a bag mortar to save $20 and someone else will be doing the work.
#2. Some places I get discounts, others I don't but go out of my way to get one anyways such as HD/Lowes I look for the 10-20% off coupons, Cox( trim place ) I get 10% others I get nothing even if I spend $20,000 a year there in materials. See above, tile, hardwood, fixtures should always be the homeowners cost/selection. It saves me hassle and you money that way. If I walked on a job and you said I want a 10x10 area tiled. Unless I knew which tile you wanted the tile could run from $.50 a sq ft to $10 a sq ft for tile alone. I would have to charge $10 to cover my ass. It is just much easier on everyone if the homeowner picks out and pays for the materials not common themselves. The contractor should cover normal building materials such as drywall, studs, tape, mud, mortar, things he know he will use and cost of )
#3 Depends on local codes and specifics of work. Always take the time given to finish and add a week to it, cause YOLO.
#4 Now is the time to make changes. Any additional work now should cost far less than having it done later.
Goodluck!
