"mr jones" wrote in message
question - what level of detail should those bids encompass?

for example, adding a new room - should their bids include
the specifics of the foundation ? (ie. preparation, use of
wire reinforced mesh, gauge of mesh, or maybe rebar - distance
between rebar, PSI rating of concrete, gravel depth, type of
vapor barrier, etc, etc). how about details regarding the
type of hardware used on the studs or ceiling joists ? should
it spec out specific brands (ie. Simpson, or whatever) ? and
details such as types/sizes of nails to use.

All of that can come later. Many homeowners are shopping for price. Often,
they don't know if the job is going to be $500, $5000, or $50,000. Once
that range is determined you can talk to the preferred contractor(s) and get
more specific in materials and methods. You may get two or three or five
bids and find that you don't want to work with some so don't waste their
time or yours yet.

If you are talking a room additiona nd foundation, your best be may be to
have an architect draw up plant for hte bid and that takes out a lot of "I
think this is OK" stuff and maikes the inspections much easier.




is it customary to allow a contractor to go ahead and just
take it on faith (or perhaps their reputation), that they will
conform to accepted industry standards (code inspections not
withstanding) ?

Only if you truly know the contractor. I woudl with some, not with others.




how do you decide if an architect should get involved (on say
a basement refinish project, or room addition), vs. having the
contractor work of a set of rudimentary drawings ?

Permits and approvals go much better with plans from an architect. I'm
going through a $1million dollar project and the town essentially said "if
it is OK with the architect it is OK with us".