The best way to relay the project information to a contractor is to provide full construction blue prints completed by an architect or designer drafts person. Some information the prints would show are the proposed design floor plan layout and all the detailed information for all areas of the remodel. The plans will also specify window/door schedules and detailed structural cross sections. While being the best way to encapsulate the complete project, having full construction blue prints completed can also be very expensive. This process works best when you are completely confident in the design and comfortable with the potential cost of the total project.
We are all keeping our eye on the budget. There is a way to be completely sure of the home project total cost while staying flexible to design changes and without spending a tremendous amount of money to do so. Melco Home Design can assist you in creating a “Bid Packet”. This process will enable you to provide all the pertinent project information to contractors biding on you project. Understanding that full construction blue prints will ultimately be required by your building department officials; the Bid Packet is a great alternative in gathering project costs and keeps your options open.
What is a “Bid Packet”? A “Bid Packet” is a project outline generated for the homeowner to assist with interviewing multiple bidders. The Bid Packet provides contractors a complete focus on the actual goal at hand. Keeping bids apples to apples is the most important aspect in avoiding the uncertainty of whether each contractor has really included everything in their bid. You would provide the “Bid Packet” to contractors bidding on your home improvement project.
The “Bid Packet” will consist of:
- Scope of proposed work (a drafted floor plan showing proposed room(s) layout with notes specifying structural needs and detailing finish items, item species and locations);
- Bid Sheet (this sheet will have pre-defined areas of work for the contractor to fill in, itemizing the cost allocated to each area of work); and
- Budget Cost Allowances (this sheet will have costs of finish materials and/or areas of work that have not been determined yet. Melco Home Design will assist you in determining the proper allowances for these items. All the bidders will plug these numbers into their proposal to keep bids consistent).
