Best Practices During the New Construction Bidding Process
[fa icon="calendar"] April 27, 2020 / by Home Services Expert
If you are thinking about building a new home, then you know that this is going to be an expensive investment. The only question is how expensive is it going to be? This is why it is important to get bids when you are thinking about a new construction process, such as building a house. In order to make sure that you get the most out of every dollar, there are a few tips that you need to keep in mind.
Get at Least Three Bids For Every New Construction Project
While it can be time-consuming to go around and collect bids from various contractors and professionals, this is an important part of the process. If you only get one bid, you won’t know whether or not you are getting a fair offer or are being overcharged.
In order to figure out how much a new construction project is truly going to cost, you need to take a look at multiple bids and figure how the contractor arrived at this number. This will help you ensure that you are paying a fair price for your project. Get at least three bids so that you have plenty of offers to compare.
Do Not Automatically Choose the Lowest Price
Another common mistake that people make is going with the lowest price right off the bat. If you collect three offers and one is substantially lower than the other two, you need to figure out why. There are multiple reasons why a bid might be cheaper and it isn’t always a good thing.
For example, the bid on the project might be cheaper because the contractor is skimping on the quality of the job. He or she might be using materials that are going to break or wear down easily. If this is the case, you could end up with major home repairs only a few years after the structure was built. While building a house is expensive and you want to save money when you can, you need to make sure that you are still getting a high-quality building for the money you are spending.
Always Have Your Design Plans Ready
In order for a contractor to make a bid on a new construction project, he or she is going to have to see the design plans. You need to have these ready when you ask for bids. This is going to be one of the first questions the contractor will ask. This will also let him or her know that you are serious about the construction project.
If you don’t have the design plans ready, this is going to frustrate the contractor. He or she may feel like you are wasting his or her time. Furthermore, the contractor may also think that you don’t know what you’re doing and may end up coming in with a higher bid.
Always Check the References of the Contractor
If you are building a house, this is much more than just a building. This is also going to be your home. You need to treat it this way. This means that you need to check the references of the contractor and make sure that he or she has a track record of success.
Any contractor who is serious about winning the project should have a list of references ready. Then, take the time to call the reference and ask the person about his or her experience. While this is time-consuming, think about the amount of money you are spending on the home. You have to make sure that this is going to result in a high-quality finished product.
Ask About Liability Insurance
Finally, all contractors need to have liability insurance. There are a lot of risks that come with a new construction project. There is a chance that someone could get hurt on the job. There might be issues that arise with the project after your home is finished. The contractor might even end up damaging the property in the process.
Not every contractor is going to have the money out of pocket to fix these issues. This is where liability insurance is important. Do not hire a contractor who does not have the right liability insurance. This could lead to major issues down the road.
Work With Experts In Your Home
If you are planning a new construction project that involves building a house, then work with Experts in Your Home. We are part of a family-owned company that has worked in the field of property development for more than six decades. We can provide you with a vendor who can work with you from start to finish. Your home is going to be one of your most valuable investments. Treat it this way. Contact us today to learn more about our services!