First experience with contractors. HELP!!!

[Mario Masseroli]

Hi,

I am entering into my first deal. I found a property and I am starting to deal with GC to bid on the project in order to prepare the offer. 3 contractor came to see the house and we went through all the work that is required. I am starting to receive the quotes, but I am struggling to get what I expected: a detail breakdown of costs. Initially the 3 of them just sent me an global number for the project, which ranges for 80k - 225-  I asked the detailed scope of work and the sent me a word document with the list of jobs required, but again no breakdown of costs, just the total number.  I insisted now on the breakdown in particular to understand how the range can be so big. On the list of the things to be done, all got it very clear and they listed the same things.

my question is: am I asking something crazy here? I thought they were supposed to provide the detail breakdown. Can you help a newbie in understanding how to proceed ?

thanks in advance for your help

[Brian Pulaski]

The homeowner should be creating the scope of work that the GC bids. The SOW should be fairy well detailed explaining your expectations of what they should do, the quality/level of finishes, requiring permits etc. Just bringing contractors in to give a bid by walking around and having them come up with the work being done will end up with massive discrepancies (as you are seeing). I like spreadsheet scopes of work where the contractor checks off each item and submits it with his bid. It may not help with them breaking it down, however it will keep them playing in the same ballpark of work.