I would say it's totally normal for quotes to be an apples oranges comparison. The other thing I found that was frustrating for me, was that the cost estimates were not broken down in a clear manner. As in, no $ for electrical labor, $ for tile labor. That part was most frustrating, because after my initial project estimate, we changed the scope of the work (took out a built-in wall unit and bump out) yet the cost ended up the same because of the supposed increase in cabinets. I have to just trust this guy, but it's a little annoying.

So sorry to hear about contractor woes. I think most of us have been there. The no-return calls is common. Since I've dealt extensively with contractors in a past life, I just chalk it off as they are busy; their loss I keep reminding myself as I'm pulling my hair out. Regarding the suggestion that you visit and pick out doors and windows yourself...I'm personally in agreement that at minimum you should look. However, I'm a 'touch and feel' person. I don't like surprises on my dollar. You are just steps away from what generally has been known for "some of the best pricing in town.' You could re-do an entire house using sources just steps from you. The windows I decided on...required an authorized installer which none of the contractors I met with were. So I either had to change windows or add another contractor to the project. Due to my circumstances, I went with the latter.

I guess I'm just trying to say, stay loose and flexible. I need to check out guida doors and windows in boothwyn - dragging my feet ...hint, hint. Road trip anyone?

It all does eventually come together.

I think it is somewhat typical to have quotes covering slightly different scopes.

I would reject the contractor who wants you to handle electrical. That's pricey work ($$$$$) and would be difficult to coordinate around what the GC is handling. I think the electrician has to come at least twice--once for rough-in while everything is demoed and once to finish after the cabinets are in. If I had to handle the electrical, I'd just figure out how to GC the whole project myself!

We ended up getting five quotes on our master bathroom remodel. Frustrating process.

Do you design a garden plan for someone who wants to do the work themselves or get other bids on the install from other mow and blow ''landscape companies'' that do not offer design work? Do you include the detailed sprinkler install and drip irrigation in your scope of work for them to bid out to other firms? Do you create detailed hardscape plans from excavation to permits to blueprints for the pergola? For someone else to do? How about the needed soil amending that the customer doesn't realize needs to occur? Do you routinely spell that out in your specifications? What about planting depth for the trees, or shrubs? Do you feel the need to call that out so that some ignorant slob can bid the job lower than you? How about alternate plant choices should the first choice be unavailable? With written explanations of the drawbacks of one choice over the other? What about the finishing touches of mulching and maintenence tips for the homeowner?

Would you offer a bid on such a detailed scope of work that some other ''garden expert'' developed, but that you disagreed with the feasability of the plan to succeed? Like creating a bog garden in a hell strip? Or installing a full English garden when their budget is 1K?

Would that change if the customer engaged a well known LA to develop the master plan, and then wanted to hire you to implement the physical labor on the job? Would the fact that some other design professional took responsibility for the plan leave you not making an alternate suggestion about tree choice when you realize the original choice will mature at too tall of a height to be placed that close to the power lines? What if all of the local nurseries were sold out of the Forest Pansy redbud that was to be THE feature tree that anchors the small side yard patio area? How would you approach a substitution? How would the mow and blow guys who don't know jack about real gardening approach that same situation? It wouldn't be from the same position of skill and knowledge, for sure!

How would you need to be compensated for all of that design work that you wouldn't get the contract on? Would you even take on such a project with no guarantee of compensation for the design work? Just, ''If we like your ideas, we might pick you to do the work that you're planning.'' Or do you get a design retainer before you do any work? How healthy would that design fee be if you knew you were designing for someone who might not even be able to tell which end of a bare root rose went intothe dirt and probably wouldn't even read the written specs for the job and only give a cursory look at the diagrams.

You need to think about all of that. You're not familiar with the home remodeling process, so translate that world to one that you are experienced in navigating. Think about it from the other side of that fence. And translate your all over the map approach to your most trying customer that you've had. What customer are you being here?

kcatherine - good to know that that's normal... speaking of cabinet changes, when I was getting an estimate from the KD for her company's line of cabinets, I decided to switch some things up - go custom on this, remove that extra feature, etc. I thought that I'd pretty clearly gotten rid of more, and bigger extras than I'd added... but the estimate came out pretty much exactly the same...

Mags - speaking of windows & doors... my neighbors across the street... they did my existing windows, and they're cheap, but I'll tell you they work fine & insulate fine. And the installation was rock bottom. No matter what contractor I go with, I think I'll request that we at least consider using my neighbors - more because they're my neighbors than anything. They are good neighbors, and I'd like to support the local biz.

crl_ - I did think it was a little odd that he'd manage cabinets, plumbing, flooring, but not electrical. That just seems so integral to doing a kitchen.

Sophie - not sure what you're asking (if you're asking anything) or suggesting (if you're suggesting anything.) I hired & paid KD to design the kitchen. I told her my budget - she said that my stated budget sounded reasonable & do-able. She said that if I went w/ her company's cabinets, her design fee would be subtracted from cabinet order. I told her I probably would NOT go with her cabinets, she said OK (as it turns out, I may end up going with them after all.) I paid her for her design work & she suggested I contact her contractor - which I did. Her contractor came in way over budget. I contacted KD & told her what he came in at, and that I was considering my options. She responded saying "that's more than expected. Get another estimate." You just asked some 20 questions: Answers are: Yes, no, maybe, sometimes, and it depends - but not necessarily in that order.

Feel your pain. We didn't hire a KD because the kitchen was a small part of an entire house remodel. When a contractor doesn't sub out electrical or other things, then he is not responsible if something goes wrong. He'll blame the electrical dude, who will blame the contractor. None of this is fun, but often you get what you pay for. Our general contractor covered everything and I had to deal with his stupidity on smart kitchen cabinets, but we did get through it. Good luck with your bids and hope your job goes well once you get going.

OH, my husband has been a project manager for a big builder for years, and when we need to do subbing ourselves, he sets up meetings with BOTH contractors to make sure everyone is on the right page. Once the contractor understands what the sub needs done and the sub understands what the contractor needs for the outcome things flow easier.

I agree, it is both a normal and frustrating process! I have a contractor that I used on a previous project and he will handle everything for me if I choose, but I plan to break it up. I am not using the cabinet company that he uses, so the build and install of the cabinets will be separate. Plumbing, electrical, flooring, structural changes - for me that is something that I want one person to look after and be responsible for. I certainly don't want to have to deal with finger pointing between trades saying "it's his fault for the [insert here] improper install/delay etc. I also don't want to have to do any more coordination than necessary! But that's me, I don't want to be my own general contractor, and I understand it will cost me. :)
When I was doing a major reno on my house, some of my quotes included an allowance for certain items which allows you to be able to specify exactly what you want, (the door or window you want for example), but I think the biggest cost is the labour. More food for thought!

Just wanted to say hi and hope the bids come in soon and within budget. I think you are smart to get several estimates.

Must've missed it earlier. A GC without an electrician? Real odd. Be careful there, electrical will need to be a permitted job -

Definitely agree on supporting neighbor. Around here the last few years, just some of the contractors have been getting new jobs by just working our one block. I think we all got pointing work done by the same guy. I've got to use a place that will do the install since my contractor was paid off and moved on.