You're about to start your renovation but you have no idea about the cost. So what do most people do? It's the worst way people get reno cost information.
*Hint*: They might google it(and that's not always terrible but inconsistent) but aside from that?
As a contractor, it's probably one of the most frustrating problems in the industry because cost is usually priority #1.
I'm am sometimes already at a disadvantage because my potential clients have sought out finding the ballpark cost and that gives them false expectations.
Likely, saved budgets are on the edge of this false information. When time comes to start the job, there's no contingency or room in the budget for doing things properly or getting that extra feature that really makes you happy.
Luckily I've found ways to get past that problem but 90% of other contractors I believe still follow bad practices and give low-balled information that's used as bait.
So they get estimates. And wrong ones. Let me ask you this.
Aside from the main differences between quotes and estimates, which one do you think has more reliable information?
It's simple, a contractor is going to do a way better job of quoting because it's on them if it's wrong. I "sweat bullets" sometimes when I give a quote - I certainly lose sleep on occasion. I don't quote on imaginary blueprints either because the risk is on me and if I mitigate that risk, it just means you're going to be unhappy paying the extra costs. And since I don't play at unethical "Smart Quoting" games, I sometimes lose jobs because low-balled estimates are used to bait homeowners.
*Wow!*
So the best way to get information on your renovation cost, is to, and by far:
Develop a budget.
One thing I've learned over the years, is that I can strategically play "the game" very well but I choose not to and to operate differently and ethically.
Cheers!
Please "like" or "share" this post if you found it helpful and leave a comment if you like!
*Hint*: They might google it(and that's not always terrible but inconsistent) but aside from that?
As a contractor, it's probably one of the most frustrating problems in the industry because cost is usually priority #1.
I'm am sometimes already at a disadvantage because my potential clients have sought out finding the ballpark cost and that gives them false expectations.
Likely, saved budgets are on the edge of this false information. When time comes to start the job, there's no contingency or room in the budget for doing things properly or getting that extra feature that really makes you happy.
Luckily I've found ways to get past that problem but 90% of other contractors I believe still follow bad practices and give low-balled information that's used as bait.
THE PROBLEM
Everything is in theory until plans are drawn up. In a perfect world WE KNOW, there's no red ink from your city's building department.So the worst way to get information on "how much does a renovation cost" is to: "ask for an estimate".
So they get estimates. And wrong ones. Let me ask you this.
Aside from the main differences between quotes and estimates, which one do you think has more reliable information?
It's simple, a contractor is going to do a way better job of quoting because it's on them if it's wrong. I "sweat bullets" sometimes when I give a quote - I certainly lose sleep on occasion. I don't quote on imaginary blueprints either because the risk is on me and if I mitigate that risk, it just means you're going to be unhappy paying the extra costs. And since I don't play at unethical "Smart Quoting" games, I sometimes lose jobs because low-balled estimates are used to bait homeowners.
*Wow!*
So the best way to get information on your renovation cost, is to, and by far:
Develop a budget.
One thing I've learned over the years, is that I can strategically play "the game" very well but I choose not to and to operate differently and ethically.
Cheers!
Please "like" or "share" this post if you found it helpful and leave a comment if you like!