Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Contractors
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated about 1 month ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

11
Posts
13
Votes
Ursula Lovings
13
Votes |
11
Posts

Comparing Contractor Estimates

Ursula Lovings
Posted
I was hoping to get some professional opinions and expertise.  I have 2 quotes for renovation work on a house.  One quote has the items listed, shows the price of each item as $0 and then has a final total.  I have no idea what the breakdown of each item is, but the overall cost is reasonable.  The other quote has the items listed but with a breakdown price of each item.  The total is higher for this one.  
Is an estimate with no cost breakdown a red flag? I know cheaper is not always better.  I'm concerned with being hit with a lot of "unexpected" costs as the project starts.

Any advice would be appreciated.
  • Ursula Lovings
  • Most Popular Reply

    User Stats

    22
    Posts
    10
    Votes
    Quentin Ambrose
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Chicago IL, USA
    10
    Votes |
    22
    Posts
    Quentin Ambrose
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Chicago IL, USA
    Replied
    Quote from @Julie Garner:

    Is it possible that the cheaper quote with the $0 does not include the materials?


     That's possible but I doubt it unless you told them you might pay for materials. Cheaper usually means

    1. Misjudged the job cost (contractor error, usually results in asking for more money)

    2. Desperate for the job (Usually results in asking for more money or unsatisfied client/using one job's money to pay for the next job).

    3. Just being nice or that's just what they charge!

    Loading replies...