Two quote tools, same supplier bid, wildly different outcome

Had to get three bids for a basement remodel in Boise. Two contractors used the same estimating spreadsheet template, both bid around 14k. The third guy showed up with his own checklist and walked the house for 40 minutes. He bid 16.5k but itemized everything down to the disposal. The first two had one line for "demo and haul" with no breakdown. I went with the higher bid because I could finally see where the money went. Anyone else hit that point where vague pricing felt riskier than a bigger number on paper?

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felix82423d ago

That itemized bid is worth every penny of the extra 2.5k because you now have a paper trail when things go sideways. Been through two remodels and the vague bids always came back with change orders that ate up any savings. A one line "demo and haul" means they can nickel and dime you on dumpster fees, extra trips, whatever they feel like. The guy who spent 40 minutes walking your house already showed you he cares about the details. Price is what you pay, but scope is what you actually get, and unclear scope is where contractors make their real money. You did the smart thing even if it stings up front.

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