We interviewed 5 GCs. First was sort of interested, but our job on an older home was different from the usual work he did building new and/or remodeling newer homes, and it didn't "feel" like a good fit, so we didn't pursue it, even though he seemed like a decent guy and his portfolio of work looked like quality. Second came to look, but when he saw significant structural work he wasn't interested - he was more a cabinet installer/internal design kind of GC than somebody to handle this project. Next one came HIGHLY recommended from a friend who had just done some similar work a few months prior. He came round and gave us some quite attractive rough figures compared to the previous and we wanted some time to think about his suggestions; called him a couple of weeks later to come back, we talked further and asked him for a written bid. Never heard back from him, although we continued to call him to try and get a formal bid. #4 was referred to us via a very bizarre chain of events: even though we got the feeling the project was stalled since we couldn't find a builder, we decided to close on the equity loan anyway since it was all ready to go. At the closing, the title agent started chatting to us, noted that we lived in the same neighbourhood as her family including her brother who oh-by-the-way was a contractor and did we have one yet? I took the number partly to be polite and partly because he was (literally) around the corner, but didn't hold out much hope. In the meantime, I already had an appointment scheduled with a fairly glossy design-build firm so I kept it - they said that we would need at a MINIMUM double our budget, so that was a short meeting! So... feeling somewhat trepidatious I called the guy around the corner that had been recc'd at the bank. He was out of town but we scheduled a meeting for a few days later. He spent 2 hrs at the house, and drove me to see some work he was doing on another property (beautiful work - sealed the deal from my point of view). He came back a few days later with his associate to have another look to see how they could manage the structural stuff, and emailed me a basic proposal a few days after that. We hashed out the remaining details by email and he started 3 weeks later. He CLEARLY wanted the job - he was interested in the house, he (as I later learned) was fascinated by the books on our shelves many of which reflected his own interests and he definitely wanted the gig and he just liked us as much as we did him - it was clearly a "good fit". I had seen his work, his licence and checked his insurance was ok (they all were, of course!), but other than the title agent had no personal references. The day we started work I was PANIC STRICKEN with "what if's?" - I was letting a perfect stranger cut my house in half, I had no human references and aaaaaakkkkkkkk... what was I doing! A neighbour reassured me that she'd seen his work in the neighbourhood and, that in fact, he'd turned DOWN a job she'd asked him to do, but even so - I didn't necessarily do this "by the book"! As those who have been following my renovation know, this guy has been AMAZING, transforming our ideas into reality at a more than fair price (in fact, I truly believe he undercharged us somewhat given the numbers I see other people throwing around for their work). And he, his wife and kids have become friends in the course of it all, so it has truly been "win win" even if we DIDN'T find him via a "conventional" route. Anyway, long answer. I guess the short version is if they follow through, they want the job... !

Are they just going to prime the areas of trim where they scrape the trim to bare wood, or prime all the trim? Are they top coating the trim wth one coat of paint or two? Since you're changing color on the window trim, I'd be concerned about getting a consistent top color. Much depends on the hiding ability of the paint they will be using. If they're tinting the primer. If suspect, the trim could look uneven under certain lighting conditions. Are they spraying everything? Just spraying? How about the trim? When painting, will a brush ever touch the trim? Cleanup? Splatters/overspray on the roof? Patio? Damage to landscape plantings? May be uneeded concern on my behalf, but I'd ask the question. You have the advantage of a good reference. That's worth a lot these days. I'm in Connecticut. Cha-ching! Pricey. One of the better painters I know charges $20 an hour for himself, $14 an hour for his help. He does top-notch work, better work than those that charge $45-$50 an hour. His low bids actually scare people away, even after they see his fine work and with his excellent references. Still, ask a few more questions to raise your comfort level. Mongo

I am currently remodeling but doing my whole condo including two baths so it's difficult to break out costs since it is not broken down to whether it is master or guest or kitchen for plumbing or electricity - for example. Or for building the shower. I don't know what you mean by quality but not super high end fixtures. In my experience, labor costs are pretty much the same whether you are using cheap tile or $150 per square foot tile :-). A shower is very expensive to do right in terms of the labor required as well as the waterproofing materials that are necessary. It also is time consuming because at least where I am, it needs to inspected at certain points. Frameless glass shower enclosures are expensive. Fixtures are expensive. From your post, it's difficult to determine what you are providing and what is being provided by the GC. For my remodel, I am providing the "discretionary" materials - i.e. the tile, fixtures, toilet, cabinets, lights but other standard items are supplied by the GC in addition to the labor to install everything. If you are supplying materials, it's possible to shop carefully and find deals on tile, fixtures, vanities etc. All anyone can advise is for you to provide several contractors with the exact scope of the work needed and review bids carefully - and of course check references scrupulously. It's an extremely busy time for the trades as I had difficulty even finding people interested in doing my remodel.

Charles Ross Homes, I'm still talking to a couple of builders. they may offer me a better price, but I needs to know what's the reasonable estimate. So, the one I already got will be a reference point if someone experience here can review it. Plus, two builders I talked are fine with the clearing and driveway part. People do it hear to get a better appraisal from the bank for construction loan. Some actually buy the lot, clear it and put a driveway and then only contact builders. Builder will take it from the excavation part. Here, the clearing company also does excavation and septic installation and the builder can start from pouring foundation. In addition, the clearing guy got good reputation for doing the site work at the most professional way. My current house owner knows him over the years and she mentioned that he even use a leaf rake at the end of the project to make sure that there is not even the shoe marks left.