As General Contractors, we are often asked to come look at someone’s home improvement project and give them a cost estimate. That is seldom a simple or quick task. Since there is more than one way to do most things, the homeowner will likely get a different scope of work and a different cost estimate from each contractor they interview. The contractor makes a significant investment for maybe a 1-in-3 chance of getting the work. 

Often the homeowner hears the first round of price quotes and then, understandably, wants to change the scope of the project. This quickly leads to confusion, waste, heartache, maybe animosity, and sometimes future problems between the chosen contractor and the homeowner.

Cost Planning is a better way. For a reasonable fee the contractor works with the designer and the homeowner to specify the project details, the materials to be used, and then estimates the costs of materials and labor. 

Here is the materials cost part of a recent Cost Planning report for a homeowner who wanted to re-case several windows in a Craftsman style.

In the end the homeowner gets the design they want, a well thought-out cost estimate, a bill of materials, and experience working with their tentatively chosen contractor. The homeowner can then either confidently contract with that same builder or contact other contractors — knowing what a reasonable bid price should be for a well-defined scope of work.