tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24400449674950162252011-07-07T14:53:19.303-07:00Michael Wilson Construction Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17930605905795515631noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440044967495016225.post-25512434152710770912009-11-18T21:24:00.000-08:002009-11-18T21:55:06.319-08:00<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just three years ago a number of plastering contractors had twenty five employees on payroll. Now many are down to three and Electricians who were once hard to get to your job, are now home watching T.V.—this is what is happening now to the general market! How did this happen so quickly and so dramatically? That question I will leave to the financial wizards but we all know it has much to do with greed at the high levels of banking.<br />So, are there deals to be had out there for the homeowner who does decide to remodel? You bet! Plastering jobs that were typically in the $20,000 range are now going for $14,500 and electrical work that used to be $10,000 are now being performed at $6,500—on average. How can this be you might ask? Fact is, there are many sub-contract trades who have come to the conclusion that just making wages (even a low wage) is better than nothing. Many have gone through their savings and are desperate to make the mortgage payment. Most never really expected for things to get this slow and did not adequately save enough. Some have loan payments where the minimum needs to be paid. It is a tough time, but a good time to get competitive bids.<br />What is the best way for an owner to get truly competitive bids?<br />A big mistake an owner often makes is comparing apples to apples. Sub-contractors (to be honest) know how to tweak a bid to their advantage by omitting key items. The answer? Take the time to write up very detailed specifications and exactly describe the work that needs to be bid. Include the items you do not want bid. A general contractor can be immensely helpful in this area. They may already have standardized forms you can fill out. You can take a standardized form and modify it to your own project—the important thing is for everyone to bid the exact same thing.<br />This will save you the owner much frustration, worry and concern that you are getting the right bid for the job.<br /><br />Michael Wilson - <a href="http://www.michaelwilsonconstruction.com/">http://www.michaelwilsonconstruction.com/</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2440044967495016225-2551243415271077091?l=michaelwilsonconstruction.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Michael Wilson Construction Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17930605905795515631noreply@blogger.com0