Estimate to Remodel

Are you having difficulty finding a contractor to give you an estimate to remodel your bathroom or kitchen?  How about a bid?  Is there is difference between an estimate to remodel and a bid to remodel?

Most folks find the process of finding a contractor to show up and perform the work according to their bid or estimate to remodel almost impossible.  Why is this?  How can it be so incredibly difficult to find a contractor to do the work for the amount promised?  This article will tell you why.  

Is there a difference between an estimate to remodel and a bid to remodel?

Yes!  There is a huge difference between an estimate and a bid.  There is an even bigger difference in the type of contractor you will get.  Before we discuss the differences between the two, you absolutely must understand this:  REMODELING IS A SERVICE BUSINESS.  IT IS NOT A COMMODITY BUSINESS. 

What is the difference between a commodity and service business?

Think of a cell phone as a commodity.  You find the make and model you like along with all the accessories you need.  Now you simply find the lowest price.  As long as the phone is not a counterfeit, it’s the same no matter where you buy it.  The only thing that changes is the price.  Whoever has the lowest price, that’s who you probably purchase the phone from.

A service business is an enterprise composed of a professional or team of experts that deliver work or aid in completing a task for the benefit of its customers.  Examples of service-based businesses are bathroom and kitchen remodeling, landscaping, dental work, and getting your taxes done.  In remodeling, that service is renovation of an existing residence.

If you want a high quality, professional, long lasting, amazing remodeling experience, you’ve got to change your thinking.  If you don’t, you will always have trouble.

You cannot think estimate but really mean bid.  Estimate and bid are mutually exclusive terms.  Mutually exclusive events are events that cannot happen at the same time.  You can’t get a bid that is an estimate or an estimate that is a bid.

There are no Google searches, YouTube videos, or home improvement shows that will help you.  All these will give you is marketing hype.  Remember, the more clicks, plays, and viewership they get, the more money they make.  Whatever it takes to get you to click, play, or view, that’s what they do.  Venues such as these focus on low cost and “look how easy it is!”

So, not all bathroom and kitchen remodels are created equally?

Correct!  People overwhelmingly think remodeling and construction are commodity businesses.  This is the number one reason clients experience poor results with their contractor.  All bathroom remodels are not created equally.  Same for kitchens.  You cannot simply ask for 3 estimates or bids to remodel your bathroom and pick from the lot.  A bathroom is not a cell phone!  It does not matter how much information you get with your estimate or bid.  Someone with no day-to-day hands-on professional remodeling experience will never be able to identify which is the best.  A pilot is not going to understand how to remodel a bathroom any more than a contractor is going to know how to fly a commercial jet!

Bid to Remodel

A bid is often referred to as a “free estimate” or “rough estimate”.  To learn more about this, see Contractor Estimate.  If you request a bid to remodel, you are advertising that you are looking for the lowest price.  You are not looking for the best contractor, high quality, or a great remodeling experience.  You want the lowest price.

This is also why when you hire a Contractor based on the lowest or lower bid, your experience is typically less than pleasant.  Here at DAD’s Construction, we get at least 20-30 calls every year from people who hired a contractor from a bid and:

• Contractor never showed up to perform the work as promised.
• The contractor does not complete the job and simply stops showing up.
• Client terminates the contractor for poor performance and/or contractor keeps asking for more money.
• Contractor completes the job, and the results are awful.

If you research the internet, almost everything you see regarding costs are bids.  Therefore, those numbers you see on the internet for a bathroom or kitchen remodel are always low.  They are designed to “hook and reel you in”.  Once you are hooked, its tough to get out!  Ever see a fish get free after being firmly hooked?  It’s rare!

Estimate to remodel

Do not expect a realistic estimate to remodel from the best contractors during or after the contractors first visit.  Why?  Providing a meaningful estimate that is based on facts, not guess work, requires hard work.

We are human.  As humans, we all see, hear, and perceive everything differently.  The only way to know that you and your contractor are speaking the same language and on the same page is to go through the design process.

It is only after completing the design process that a thorough, realistic, and confident estimate can be developed.  Without design, an estimate is nothing more than a guess.

Anything else I should know about getting an estimate to remodel?

If you want to learn how to get the best bathroom estimate, read Best Bathroom Estimate.  For the best kitchen estimate, read Best Kitchen Estimate.  For the best Contractor, read What to Look For in a Contractor, How Do I Choose a Contractor?, and Find a Good Contractor.

Always Hire a Reliable and Dependable Contractor to Remodel your Home

Always work with a trustworthy contractor like DAD’s Construction.  We are experts in bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling who manage projects in an efficient manner.  DAD’s Construction will do everything to minimize the possibility of change orders.  Our team will make sure we have all the necessary information to prepare a proposal that meets your requirements.  We can teach you about the home renovation cost process.

Rest assured that we will provide you with a detailed, by line-item contract.  We will make sure that the contents of this agreement are properly and clearly communicated to you.  If you have questions or need updates regarding your project, we will always answer your inquiries.

How Can I Receive More Information on Remodeling my Home?

If you would like more information on enjoying the best bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling experience in Orange County, call Dan at (949) 380-0177 or at dan@dadsconstruction.com for a free in home consultation.  DAD’s serves all of South Orange County California.  This includes Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, Ladera Ranch, Irvine, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Aliso Viejo.

“Taking Care of Your Home . . . The Way We Would Our Own”

Daniel A. Derkum is the owner of DAD’s Construction.  DAD’s is a leading South Orange County, California design-and-build remodeling and renovation Contractor.  See https://www.dadsconstruction.com.  © DAD’s Home Services & Construction, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.