Quick Contractor Pricing

As a General Contractor, performing and pricing projects of various types exposes us to all kinds of situations and challenges.  With that experience and exposure, we come to realize that every project is unique and typically requires specific pricing that cannot fit a one-size-fits-all strategy.

However, the majority of projects, both Residential and Commercial, have similar traits and scope of work.  We estimate that 70-80% of a project scope of work requires the same technique for pricing and only 20-30% of the scope requires unique, field specific pricing.

This means we can provide the option to price the work quickly (sometimes without even visiting the site) with only a little information provided by the customer.  It works well for both parties: the customer can get a quick, fairly accurate, budget number and we can provide it while saving time and travel to the job site.  Below are some of this items we request from the customer:

- Work Scope List
- Property Photos, Scope of Work Photos
- Inspection Reports
- Room Measurements
- Scope of Work Measurements

The more information provided, the better and more accurate the estimate.  Using this strategy can allow us to do most budget estimates within 24 hours of receiving the data above.

Brandon Leske
Hybrid Construction LLC
Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco General Contractor
Tampa Bay Area Remodeling
Commercial - Residential
813-300-8019
bleske@hybridgc.com

Owner Advice for Lower Remodel Costs

Estimating a project is one part science and one part art/experience.  One of my favorite parts of my job is meeting with a client at a property and discussing the proposed project.  It allows me to assist the client with understanding the process, what decisions will need to be made, and provide recommendations/advice where necessary.  It is good to meet with contractors with an open mindset at a preliminary stage, however, it is important to understand that any estimate at this stage may also be very preliminary.  To many people, the cost of a project is their number one priority or concern.  Unfortunately, many Owner's don't do enough prep work for their project to encourage getting the best pricing possible.  The lack of Owner prep work leaves the contractor in a position to have to make assumptions, guess on materials specifications, and plan for contingencies.  All of this can make an estimate higher and less accurate.  It also makes it difficult to compare contractor estimates and get them apples to apples.   Some Owner prep work I recommend providing to a contractor includes items like:

- Provide materials selections, if possible (fixtures, tiles, cabinets, granite, flooring, etc...).  It doesn't have to be exactly determined, but any baseline assumption is very helpful.
- Feedback on schedule and timeline desired.
- Layout ideas and decisions
- Proposed access to property during project (lockboxes, keys, time of day, etc...)
- Allowing enough time for pre-construction items and estimating to finalize details and get the best pricing as well as minimize problems. 

Typically, an estimate will have varying degrees of accuracy and cost projections, depending on how much info is gathered when we put pencil to paper.  For some situations, a ballpark estimate is all that is necessary at that time, but if are looking to get an very accurate and cost effective estimate, I recommend spending the time on your prep-work.  It will be well worth it. 

Brandon Leske
Hybrid Construction LLC
Tampa Bay General Contractor
Commercial - Residential - Remodel - 203K Renovations
Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties
813-300-8019
bleske@hybridgc.com