Homewyse

[John Hixon]

Has anyone on BP used Homewyse to help estimate rehab costs?  If so, did you find it accurate or way off?

I realize it is a website that gives general high and low prices for each item but I was just wondering if those prices it gives where even close to what it actually costs.

[Manolo D.]

No computer program can let you know how your contractor is really going to price it.  They got the prices from Estimating books, and even those aren't accurate, they just give a "factor" when you change zip codes. They are at least 20% different from my price in some areas. Nothing beats a contractor's quote still, I guess you could use it, question is, is it safe? Another question is, what is inclusive and exclusive on their price, the third question will be, do you really know what you want?

Say for example, I install a granite slab that they price per square foot, now these slabs go around 21" x 96", now if your project requires 2 96" and 1 50", when I go to the slab yard, I need to order 3 slabs, and the program only prices it for 2x96 + 50" giving yourself short.