Architect can be valuable in bidding process

Unfortunately, many homeowners think undertaking a remodeling project means picking up the phone and calling a contractor.

If you have read any of our columns over the past several years, we hope you have picked up on the principle of involving a design professional before calling a contractor.

So now you've teamed up with a creative and caring architect. Together you have worked through your priorities, budget and aesthetic issues to create an excellent set of construction drawings, along with a written specification of all the materials and equipment (plumbing fixtures, appliances, etc.) that will make up your fabulous home in the near future.

Now you are ready to collect construction bids and select your contractor.

Last week we talked about the basics of the contractor selection process, but today we will discuss how an architect can be a valuable resource, specifically in the bidding process.

If you are bidding a remodeling project out to general contractors, we generally advise that you give it to at least three contractors.

With only two bids, you may get one high and one low; the third bid usually helps to validate one or the other. In addition, every good mind that you have looking at your project is a bonus; one contractor may see an issue the others have overlooked. The goal is to confront and deal with as many issues as possible before the first shovel of dirt is turned.

When you receive the bids, you will probably be confused, since any three bids will come in three different forms.

The first thing you will look at will be the final numbers at the bottom of the bids, which are easy to compare but difficult to interpret.

You are definitely not looking for the lowest number as your final decision-making factor. There is a lot more to consider before you select your general contractor.

Outside of comparing the three bottom-line numbers, it becomes a lot like comparing apples to oranges when you delve into the details.

Some general contractors put a line item in for profit and overhead; others divide it up and add it to each of the other itemized bids.

Some of the numbers may be hard bids while others may be estimates or allowances (often depending on how much information you have provided in your construction drawing package).