A recent article in a buildings trade magazine suggested that the old policy
of contracting by seeking multiple (eg. three) estimates and/or soliciting
an expert's opinions or advice is generally less satisfying overall than
finding and establishing a relationship that is reliable, fair, trusting,
and mutual.
Amen.
The "three bid" business comes from government contracts where a detailed RFQ (Request for Quotation) is generated which "COMPLETELY and EXPLICITLY" outlines the work to be done. The "bid" is based on that RFQ. Any deviation from that RFQ then becomes a "change order" for which you get "billed separately" (and without benefit of a competitive bidding process).
The theory is that all bids are for the same work. But the reality is that the "more experienced" contractors know that they can make their initial bid low and make up the difference on the change orders.
This process has never worked for the homeowner, not least because they have no concept of the concepts involved - but the contractors do! Nor does the homeowner have the expertise to write the RFQ in the first place. That is normally the expertise which they are attempting to "purchase."
Hence the "reputation" of the contractor amongst the homeowners peers or as an "employee" of a larger "trusted" entity -- like SEARS or AAA or Home Depot -- provides a greater "sleep at night" comfort factor.
T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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