4 tips for getting bids

4 Tips for Getting the Best Bids for a Remodeling Job

Copyright © 2007-2008 Julie Lohmeier
The slump in housing starts and sales has flooded the news reports in the last month or
so. While this may not be the best time to sell a home, it's a great time to buy and an
excellent time to remodel. Get your house ready for the turnaround - it will come - and
save money. How? Contractors are slow. That means they're more willing to negotiate
and offer better pricing than when they have so many jobs that they're turning the
away.

Here's a few tips:

1) Do your homework. Ideally you should get five bids for each trade (plumbing,
electrical, carpentry, etc.) The theory is that you throw out the highest and lowest
(either the trade is trying to trick you or they forget something) and negotiate the
three in the middle. However, that multiplies really fast to many bids, meetings, etc.
Instead try to get three. See how they fall. If they're all in the ball park, work it out. If
not, question the outliers. Make sure you have all of the key trades lined up BEFORE
you start. If you don't, you're asking for delays. Other key trades may include concrete,
HVAC (heating and air conditioning). Drywall and trim carpenters can be found a bit
later.

2) Negotiate. Don't hesitate to try and negotiate for a better price. The worst they can
say is no, but in a slow market, you'll be surprised what contractors may come back
with.

3) Ask for references. You wouldn't hire a babysitter, go to a doctor, or get an attorney
without a reference. This is no different. You'll be surprised what you may learn. Even if
all the references are glowing, you've learned two things: 1) some people like the
contractor and 2) at least he wasn't dumb enough to give you the bad ones. Again,
you'd be surprised.

4) Check out website recommendations. See Angie's List
http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/ . Here's is unique in that tradespeople are graded
and have profiles that include previous customers' comments.

It's a great time to invest in your current home and to negotiate good deals on the
work.

About The Author:
Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. From
working hands on and doing much of the work herself to hiring contractors and
construction managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement. She
shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants at
http://www.myhomeredux.com. Subscribe to her free newsletter at:
http://myhomeredux.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/get_my_home_red_2.html

@copyright 2007, Julie Lohmeier, http://www.myhomeredux.com Use this report in its
entirety with proper acknowledgement and copyright.

7 Popular Decorating Colors
Copyright © 2006-2008 Julie Lohmeier

Picking the right color for a room can often
be the most difficult decorating decision.
The best way to find a color you like is to
look at other homes, restaurants, and
good old-fashioned paint chips. Here are
some popular colors in decorating right
now. The specific colors I refer to are from
Benjamin Moore(r).

Buff: This is the new neutral. It looks great
with trim - stained or bright white (my
classic favorite), is neutral but not boring
off-white. I have this color throughout
nearly half of my house including
hallways, foyer, and basement. Everything
works well with it. Buff can range from tan
to deep taupe. Some specific colors are
Tyler Taupe, Porter Ridge Tan, and
Shelburne Buff. Also, consider
Chestertown Buff, a designers' favorite. It's
warm, not too gold, not too taupe and not
too bold. It works well in many settings
and any room.