How Many Subcontractors do you Invite to Bid?

[Julie Marquez]

I am the GC for my home renovation project, this is my first residential project, and everything needs to be updated. I find myself spending a lot of hours meeting with subs. While it is educational and necessary, how many subs do people generally invite to bid?

I also work as a GC for a commercial company, and I get at least 3 people per trade, and make them all attend a job walk together, so I only have to go to the project once. Three bids gets me the right range to make a good decision.

What does this subcontractor hiring process look like for the regular residential GC (one like me that doesn't have an established team of subs yet)?

[Jeff B.]

THREE,  you pick the MOST QUALIFIED, not necessarily the lowest bidder!!!!!!!