Hey folks! Today, I’m diving into what you should watch out for in bids and where we see the most underbidding happen. Let’s break it down:https://fb.watch/tWw8zAeU-y/ (Link to video)
1. Painting 🎨
Painting might seem easy, but it’s way tougher than most handyman painters realize. Here’s what you need to check:
Caulking: Some houses need boxes of caulk before painting even starts. Ask your painter about their prep process—don’t skip this step!
Paint Quality & Weather: Make sure they’re using quality paint and know the right weather conditions to avoid flashing. Flashing is ugly, and trust me, it’s more common than you’d think.
Other Trades Knowledge: Do they know how to work around gutters? Will those need to be detached? Make sure they’re aware of what other trades are involved so you don’t end up with a mess.
2. Soffit & Fascia 🏠
This is where we see a ton of change orders or companies losing money because they underbid:
No Cover-Ups: Doing it right means not just covering up the junk. Make sure they’re addressing any underlying issues.
Gutter Installation: If gutters aren’t done correctly, you’re looking at more problems down the road, especially with ice damming on roof eaves.
Face Nailing: Don’t let them do it! It causes leaks and looks ugly as sin.
Ventilation: Understand the ventilation needs in soffit. Proper ventilation prevents mold, warped decking, shingle baking—you name it.
The Unexpected: Sometimes you need to rebuild bird boxes or deal with a thousand other things. If we seem to be overbidding compared to others, it’s often because we’re factoring in what the job really takes—not just throwing out a $5 per foot number and calling it a day.
3. Interior Work 🛁
I won’t go into too much detail here, but here’s the deal: bathroom remodels have more line items to bid than roofing, siding, windows, and fascia combined. If your bid doesn’t include a bigillion line items, your contractor is either going to jack up the price later, quit early, or end up eating a dooky sandwich.
4. Reputation Matters 🏆
You want a contractor who’s more concerned about their reputation than snagging your job. If they seem like they “NEED THIS JOB,” run. I believe I’m worth a billion dollars in my lifetime. I’m not going to mess you over on 100k and ruin my billion-dollar reputation.
5. Roofing & Siding 🔨
There are huge differences in options here, but that’s just half the battle. If your contractor doesn’t know how to run a level or pop lines, yikes. Also, if they’re not certified by any manufacturers, good luck getting a decent warranty. Don’t settle for just a contractor’s warranty—make sure you’re getting a billion-dollar company’s warranty that’ll be around for the next 30-50 years.
6. Trust & Relationship Building 🤝
Finally, find someone you trust and build a relationship with them. You want a contractor who’ll tell you straight up if they’re not the best fit or not the best price for the quality you’re after. We refer people out all the time if we’re not the right mix of VALUE or just not the best for the job. I’m not about to make a buck and sacrifice my billion-dollar value.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to home improvement projects, it's all about getting the right people for the job. Keep these tips in mind when reviewing bids, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more advice or want to see how Ram's Head can help you achieve your vision.
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