Breaking Down Contractor Bids and Estimates

When hiring a contractor, there are many concerns that one must address. One of the most difficult things to learn how to do is to evaluate an estimate that is given by a contractor. Defining and addressing scope of work is something that comes with experience, as well. In order to get the correct contractor for your job, it is important to become a master of these decisions.

What is the Scope of Work?


Scope of work can be defined quite easily. In short, this is the description of the job which the contractor will perform. The problem with many job scopes is that they leave out some very important details. A good scope of work should include everything that has to go on during the job, including the preparation and the post-job cleanup (if there is any).

When you consider different contractors, it is important to take a personal comparison between contractors in order to figure out what sort of value their bid holds. Depending upon what sort of job they are being hired for, different contractors should provide different things in their scope.

Painters should include in their scope of work the plans for the preparation of the painting surface. Painting is a process that is fueled by good preparation. Without that, the job is basically worthless. They should include details about whether they are hand scraping, whether they are power washing the area, or any other plans they have. What sort of paint are they using? Do they plan to perform any sort of cleanup after the job?

Landscaping, much like painting, is a process that is highly predicated upon good preparation. You should find out from your landscaper whether the plants or shrubs will be put under ground or on top of the ground? You should always hire a landscaper who is willing to plant things in a deep hole well below the ground. A good depth for this sort of planting is six feet, as this gives the plants room to grow and a lengthy plant life. Anything else will shortchange the plant and leave you with problems to fix in the future.

Roofing is one of the most important jobs for any project. Because roofs have to be so durable, they must be installed correctly. Be sure to ask about the flashing on the roof, as this portion is where the most water damage can occur. It is always a good idea to ask the roofer how he or she plans to accommodate for climate changes before they begin working on the roof. Do they know how to cut around your brick joints in order to have proper sealing? These things must be addressed by a good roofer.