When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

John Churchill
Builder and Instructor at Emory University
Author of www.renovation101.com

remember check references the lowest price is often not the best deal

That's ridiculous. You may end up getting the lowest price, but because you
can't spend enough time with each individual contractor, you have no idea
what kind of work the low bidder does, so you will probably end up with poor
workmanship. In addition, most advice on hiring someone says not to hire the
lowest bidder, but to hire someone in the middle. In 20 years, 2 people have
done that to me. In neither case did I bother to bid the job. That's just a
stupid idea.

"Churchill" wrote in message
oups.com...
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

John Churchill
Builder and Instructor at Emory University
Author of www.renovation101.com

Churchill wrote:
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

John Churchill
Builder and Instructor at Emory University
Author of www.renovation101.com

Ha ha ha ha ha! Good one!

Oh, wait...you're serious?

If someone is naive enough to take the guy that guarantees to beat the
lowest price, they'll get what they deserve.

Ever consider that someone could just tell the contractors that they
were getting other bids?

What you suggest is rude. It lacks common courtesy and suggests you
personally lack class. There's no reason to make anyone uncomfortable
while getting bids...unless you're just a schmuck and enjoy that sort
of thing.

R

"Churchill" wrote in message
oups.com...
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

John Churchill
Builder and Instructor at Emory University
Author of www.renovation101.com

I'd walk away.
You, and the contractor you end up with, will deserve each other.
Happy fighting!

Your comments were better than mine. I'm sure that anyone who takes his
advice will end up with a poor or unfinished job.

"RicodJour" wrote in message
oups.com...
Churchill wrote:
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

John Churchill
Builder and Instructor at Emory University
Author of www.renovation101.com

Ha ha ha ha ha! Good one!

Oh, wait...you're serious?

If someone is naive enough to take the guy that guarantees to beat the
lowest price, they'll get what they deserve.

Ever consider that someone could just tell the contractors that they
were getting other bids?

What you suggest is rude. It lacks common courtesy and suggests you
personally lack class. There's no reason to make anyone uncomfortable
while getting bids...unless you're just a schmuck and enjoy that sort
of thing.

R

"Churchill" wrote in message
oups.com...
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

John Churchill
Builder and Instructor at Emory University
Author of www.renovation101.com


We call it "bid shopping". When I find out about it. I am repulsed and
remove my company from the bidding. I deal from a quality and
satisfaction stand point.
Bottom dollar is just that.

Bob wrote:
Your comments were better than mine. I'm sure that anyone who takes his
advice will end up with a poor or unfinished job.

His tag line is...interesting. He's a continuing education instructor
who has one of those three evenings on Tuesday deals. That's not
exactly what most people would mean when they say they're an instructor
with a particular university. Most people would say that they teach
Adult Ed so there's be no confusion...unless you didn't mind the
confusion. He goes under a different name when he's teaching than
what's on his site and tag line. Don't know what's up with that, but
it sure is odd. There are other things that don't add up, but,
whatever - I'm not Netcop dJour.

The guy started renovating five years ago - obviously he's a pro. I
mean, c'mon, FIVE years. How tough could this stuff be?

If you bothered to check out his site, you'd find lot of equally
"brilliant" tips. Save your time. He's not a dumb guy, just has some
learning to do. Little things like learning that people are people and
it doesn't pay to be rude to them with no reason. I think it might
take a little while for the lawyer training to fade.

R

"Churchill" wrote
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

You probably are a 100% correct. When I worked for a design/build firm, I
heard stories from our estimators.

Seems, some potential clients thought this was a good theory. Our
estimators told of how the street would be lined with Sanford & Son pickup
trucks, and a few Pinto's with ladders strapped on the roof. Basically, it
was all the low life fly-by-nights waiting in the wings to rip off some
poor soul that thought they knew something about contracting.

Respectable, reputable firms don't have time or need to be wasting on
people like this.

Undoubtedly, the customer probably ended up chosing to have the lowest of
the con's working in their home, and around their family.

WOW
WE JUST BOUGHT ANOTHER HOME AND PLAN ON REMODELING IN 2 MONTHS. WE ARE
LOOKING FOR ESTIMATES NOW. WHAT A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE THEM ALL COME AT
THE SAME TIME. ANYONE THAT WANTS TO LEAVE AREN'T WORTH MY HARD EARNED
MONEY.. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE 5-10 DIFFERENT APPOINTMENTS TO BE
HOME!
THANK YOU

Moisés Nacio wrote:
"Churchill" wrote
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

You probably are a 100% correct. When I worked for a design/build firm, I
heard stories from our estimators.

Seems, some potential clients thought this was a good theory. Our
estimators told of how the street would be lined with Sanford & Son pickup
trucks, and a few Pinto's with ladders strapped on the roof. Basically, it
was all the low life fly-by-nights waiting in the wings to rip off some
poor soul that thought they knew something about contracting.

You know, when you put it like that, I don't mind it so much. I
wouldn't even have to get out of the vehicle - I'd just keep driving.
Sure would help in weeding out the bid shoppers. If the owner is
talking to Fred and Lamont, they don't need to be talking to me!

R

Anyone dumb enough to leave his Caps Lock key on is probably dumb enough to
insist on the cheapest contractor.

wrote in message
oups.com...
WOW
WE JUST BOUGHT ANOTHER HOME AND PLAN ON REMODELING IN 2 MONTHS. WE ARE
LOOKING FOR ESTIMATES NOW. WHAT A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE THEM ALL COME AT
THE SAME TIME. ANYONE THAT WANTS TO LEAVE AREN'T WORTH MY HARD EARNED
MONEY.. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE 5-10 DIFFERENT APPOINTMENTS TO BE
HOME!
THANK YOU

wrote:

WOW
WE JUST BOUGHT ANOTHER HOME AND PLAN ON REMODELING IN 2 MONTHS. WE ARE
LOOKING FOR ESTIMATES NOW. WHAT A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE THEM ALL COME AT
THE SAME TIME. ANYONE THAT WANTS TO LEAVE AREN'T WORTH MY HARD EARNED
MONEY.. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE 5-10 DIFFERENT APPOINTMENTS TO BE
HOME!
THANK YOU

Hi,
First of all, you dno't have to shout. If they are all present at the
same time, one possibility is they will gang up on you. Ususally I get 3
to 4 estimates presenting detailed job description including material specs.
I never take lowest or highest bid. They can cut corners two ways, in
workmanship &/or material. Just like everything else, if you go too
cheap, you'll get cheap result. Fortunately I had a guy whom I could
deal with shake of our hands. He knows what I expect, I know his ability.
Too bad, we are both retired.
Tony

"RicodJour" wrote in message
ups.com...
Moisés Nacio wrote:
"Churchill" wrote
When getting house remodeling cost estimates, try to schedule the
contractors to come to the jobsite around the same time so that they
will see each other. Nothing lowers your estimates like some
competition! I have had Contractors say to me on the spot, "I will
beat the lowest price that you get from any of those other
Contractors."

You probably are a 100% correct. When I worked for a design/build firm, I
heard stories from our estimators.

Seems, some potential clients thought this was a good theory. Our
estimators told of how the street would be lined with Sanford & Son pickup
trucks, and a few Pinto's with ladders strapped on the roof. Basically, it
was all the low life fly-by-nights waiting in the wings to rip off some
poor soul that thought they knew something about contracting.

You know, when you put it like that, I don't mind it so much. I
wouldn't even have to get out of the vehicle - I'd just keep driving.
Sure would help in weeding out the bid shoppers. If the owner is
talking to Fred and Lamont, they don't need to be talking to me!

R

After reading his bio, its no wonder he tauts "Bid Peddling".

He's a LAWYER.

Nuf said.

CK

"Casino Knight" wrote

After reading his bio, its no wonder he tauts "Bid Peddling".

He's a LAWYER.

Nuf said.

CK

Hopefully he knows more about law, than the building industry.

I was browsing his window link. He states "Here are the decisions you will
need to make before you order your windows:" And goes on to list
"-Double-hung (two sashes)?"

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but two sashes doesn't mean
double hung. You can have single hung windows, which also have two sashes,
though the top sash isn't operational. These are most commonly installed on
the first floor in new construction, for those that want the low bidder
approach, for which he knows about.

Apparently he doesn't know about roof jacks used in conjunction with
boards. His link says " ? On steep roofs, roofing contractors will nail
boards onto the shingles to give themselves some traction. This is normal,
but be sure that the roofing contractors repairs the nail holes when he is
finished repairing or replacing your roof." I've never seen or heard of
anyone nailing boards onto the shingles, let alone be normal.

I think when I need some more amusement, I will visit his site once again.
Maybe he even has some pictures of Sanford & Son.