Five questions you should ask before you accept a renovation quote

We get it.

You’ve asked for a quote for a kitchen renovation, and a couple of weeks later, you receive a 5-page document with numbers, price points, materials, and phrases you’ve never heard of. Or worse, you get a generic email or (gasp) text with a price and no further information or explanation.

Nothing gets the blood pressure rising like a significant number; a big number with no explanation is pretty much a non-starter. And let’s be honest: the moment you receive that quote, you turn to the end, look at the number, and (most likely) decide.

But what about all those line items with all that constructionese (what to learn more about construction contract lingo? We wrote a blog about it here) And why am I getting quotes with radically different numbers?

***Important sidenote: at Owners Choice, we only deliver renovation quotes during a face-to-face consultation. We walk through each line item, answer any questions, and provide helpful information about all the details throughout the quote.

So, “Why do my quotes look different,” you ask? It would be best to make sure you compare apples to apples. Not all quotes are created equal. Not all quotes are priced with your preferences, unique tastes, and your wallet in mind.

With this in mind, how can you know if your quote is right? Great question; we’re so happy you asked.

Below are five questions you should ask any contractor before you sign on the dotted line.

Question 1: "Did you price MY job or just A job."
Is there a detailed spec sheet or scope of work detailing all the pricing?

If your renovation is the meal, the scope of work is the ingredients list.

Scope of work is defined as the division of labor to be performed under a contract or subcontract in the completion of a project, typically broken out into specific tasks with deadlines.

If you don’t have an itemized work scope, then there’s a good chance one doesn’t exist.

If one doesn’t exist…well, have you tried to make a meal without first checking to make sure you have all the ingredients? Inevitably, you’re missing something and have to go to the grocery store. Well, with your renovation, the grocery store is your wallet.

Make sure the details are there to avoid extra trips to the grocery store of your wallet.

To carry the analogy further, for a recipe, not only do you want the ingredients, but you also want the right quality of ingredients. In our work scope, we always add these details in the item line, along with contact info (á la farm to table) for each of our vendors we facilitate meetings with via our interior design team.

Lastly, the itemized quote tells you if you’re comparing apples to apples.

Details communicate thought and personalization. It's easy to crank out a quote. It takes time, communication, and your input to put together a quote that reflects you. Each renovation is unique, which makes sense because so are you. Your tastes, preferences, and budget all provide valuable information that we consider when we quote your renovation.

Question #2: "Will you stand by your work?"
Is there a warranty? 

Things happen. Life happens.

The last thing you want is to spend good money on a renovation, and after a couple of months, you notice something that needs to be fixed, and you realize you’re on your own.

As an Approved Professional Builder for the HBA of Greenville, We provide a one year warranty on all our work, and will get any issues fixed quickly and with a smile.

Question #3: "Is this price THE price?"
How will we tackle change orders?

We understand that projects evolve.

That idea you saw on Pinterest last night would look fantastic in your new kitchen. The light fixtures don’t look the same as they did online. You didn’t think you’d want crown molding, but now the room doesn’t feel complete without it.

No problem at all.

At times, we can pivot within the project to accommodate minor adjustments, but there needs to be a change order for more extensive adjustments or additions. We always communicate upfront when/if a change order arises and if it will affect the price, and we will never execute a change order without final approval from you. 

We promise no “GOTCHA” tack-on costs at the end or phone calls pleading for more money.

Question #4: "When is this actually going to be done?"
Are there clear expectations in timelines?

This is a biggie.

You have a baby on the way and need your addition wrapped up in 6 months. Next thing you know, your kid is old enough to swing a hammer, and the project still isn’t done.

Most of our craftsmen are in-house, meaning we can schedule confidently because we don’t have to hire other subcontractors who have five different projects going simultaneously.

(translation: timelines stay on time)

We also have collaborative software that allows you to see each step of the project on a timeline in real-time and make any adjustments. We provide daily updates, execute change orders, and track material deliveries through our platform to let you know what to expect and when.

Question #5: "What exactly am I paying for?"
Why is there a price difference between quotes I've gotten?

This is a great question to ask! Our pricing follows these simple principles: 

• We always price comprehensively. As we've said, we list all budget line items in the quote. Even the parts of the project you'll never see in the finished product. Never any hidden fees or secret add-ons.

• We always price with you in mind. Your price is for your project, with your budget and tastes in mind.

• We never price to compromise on quality or craftsmanship. Our work bears our name long after we've left your home, and we never build something we aren't proud of.

• We always price for the best experience. We work hard to bring top talent onto our team for both customer service and quality craftsmanship.

We feel that the price we assign to our work is a fair reflection of the value you will receive both tangibly in the end product and intangibly in the quality of experience you’ll receive throughout the renovation process.

There you go. Five questions you can ask when you get a quote for your next renovation. Whether you work with us or not, our goal is for your dream to become a reality. Just ensure that your renovation dream doesn't have the potential to become a nightmare before you sign on the dotted line.