Rehab estimate from a general contractor

[Jay Garrison]

Hi,

I would like to get an estimate on a rehab from a general contractor, but I am not certain what to expect in term of the cost of the estimate. I would also like to know what (besides the cost of the repairs) will go into the estimate and what I should include or look for. There are many general contractors and I always like to get 3 cost estimates for big projects, wondering if I should take the same path here. Thanks! 

[Chris Howell]

Always get multiple offers and get references and see if they complete jobs on time and on budget.   Ask for itemized list of repairs and costs so you can compare estimates side by side.   You will usually find big differences in some of bids and you can negotiate those areas down if you have multiple bids.   One guy might be 5k higher on a bathroom remodel than another using same materials and you can push back on that part of bid.  GC will have labor, cost of goods, and then their fee on top of it all but ive known alot of dishonest gc that will double dip there fee.  They will add fee on labor, cost of goods, then add fee again on total price but they dont show fee on labor cost.   

Good luck