How to request a quote from a contractor to avoid cost buildup in the process

Choosing a contractor is not an easy task: you need to navigate the estimate documents and draw up a contract correctly. Participant FORUMHOUSE under the nickname Alexey_Master told how to request a quote from a potential contractor.

The estimated component in the project is the main thing that will allow you to compare contractors. Without it, offers can differ at times: you can see an offer with both 50 and 150 cubic meters of concrete for the same project.

How to avoid the risk of works not included in the contract

You should receive a price offer from a potential contractor, so send design estimates and text that reads as follows:

“I suggest, after agreeing on the cost, to print the project in two copies. Draw up the project as an annex to the contract, its integral part. Lace up, put the seal of your organization on the lacing (signature of the foreman, if a private team) and the inscription: "Acquainted".
The cost of work should be indicated in the contract in such a way that it includes all the necessary for the production of work on the project (Appendix No. 1 to contract) materials, consumables, related work, delivery and unloading of materials, lifting and carrying materials to the place of work. To issue an offer sent by you at an estimated cost as an integral part of the contract - Appendix No. 2.

With a note in the contract: for the indicated cost, everything that is stipulated by the project documentation will be completed, without the possibility of paying for additional work and additionally supplied materials. "

And also this approach will reduce your risks of adding value in the process. The contractor forgot to count the scaffolding, and in the process demands money for them - show the contract and remind about Carlson, who lived on the roof without scaffolding. If people do not know how to count and take into account work, this is not your problem!

How to check spending distribution

After that, it is necessary to check the distribution of money for materials and work in relation to time. After all, a potential contractor can fill out an estimate indicating a higher cost of materials and work at the beginning of construction and practically for next to nothing at the end of construction. Moreover, the final amount offered by him can be very attractive compared to competitors.

Thus, the contractor can earn something to the detriment of your tasks at the uncompetitive (and unattainable) cost of the contract. And having received most of the amount of the contract at the start, stop work and get lost.

You can check the distribution of expenses, as independently, by comparing the estimates with each other and comparing the cost of materials from the average market (for example, via the Internet), and attract a specialist to expertise.

Of course, there will always be a risk that the contractor will demand additional payments despite the contract. Having kicked him out, you will waste time in the construction season on the selection of another brigade or company. No means of dealing with this risk have yet been invented. At least in the private sector.

Remember that your estimate is broken down by the quantity and grade of materials. Based on this estimate, you compare proposals for tabular data. Let me remind you once again - an estimate for the request is required: without it, each potential contractor will recalculate the volumes himself materials and you may come to the conclusion that you will have to compare estimates with significantly different volume of material and works.

Please note that consumables must be fixed - these are accessories for tools (drills, bits), fuels and lubricants (oils, gasoline for vibrating plates, chainsaws), PPE (gloves, respirators). The proposal of a potential contractor should include the full and final cost of consumables or an indication that consumables are included in the work.

Having received the completed estimate tables from potential contractors, you will have to carry out a purely mathematical comparison of the data provided. Since the tables are the same, the materials that the contractor undertakes to supply are the same, the delivery and unloading columns must also be filled out. As simple as possible.

Important!

It doesn't make sense to consider proposals in which a potential contractor tries to move away from your chosen rating system, arguing, for example, that the cost is estimated by the square meters of the building. Thus, a preliminary assessment can be made. But you have a completely different task at this stage.

Having received estimates and comparing them with each other, you should choose a contractor. It makes sense to call or write a letter to a potential contractor, in which you need to once again pay attention to the format contract and clarify whether all the work and materials that are necessary for the construction of a house according to the project are included in the offers.

When evaluating estimates, you should not dwell on one proposal, since this contractor, when entering the conclusion of a contract, may indicate more high cost, which differs from the one provided in his offer - there is no need to work with such a contractor, immediately dismiss the opportunity to work with him. And also the contractor may not come to a contract, in general, for a variety of reasons. Finally, it may not pass your liability control.

How do you feel about such a careful approach to choosing a contractor? Write in the comments!

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