Before You Build It - Lesson 5: Why Contractor Bids Are All Over the Place

🎁 FREE MINI COURSE WORKBOOK Download the Before You Build™ Mini Course Workbook and receive a complimentary Project Clarity Call. 👉 goEasyProject.com/freecourse Have you ever received multiple contractor bids and wondered: "Why are these prices so different?" One contractor says $220,000. Another says $285,000. Another says $340,000. Who's right? The answer may surprise you. Many times, you're not comparing contractors. You're comparing interpretations. In Lesson 5 of the Before You Build™ Mini Course, you'll learn why contractor bids vary so much and how unclear scope creates confusing proposals. Because contractors can only price what they understand. And if the project isn't clearly defined, every contractor may make different assumptions. In this lesson you'll learn: ✔ Why contractor bids vary ✔ How unclear scope creates confusion ✔ Why low bids are not always the best value ✔ The difference between inclusions and exclusions ✔ Why assumptions matter ✔ How allowances affect pricing ✔ How to compare bids more intelligently ✔ Why better scope creates better pricing Most owners think they're comparing prices. In reality, they're often comparing different versions of the same project. The clearer the project becomes, the easier it is to compare contractor proposals accurately. Because before you compare bids... Define the project. 🎁 FREE MINI COURSE WORKBOOK Download the Before You Build™ Mini Course Workbook and receive a complimentary Project Clarity Call. 👉 goEasyProject.com/freecourse 📞 COMPLIMENTARY PROJECT CLARITY CALL Planning an ADU, remodel, addition, rebuild, custom home, or major construction project? Schedule a complimentary Project Clarity Call and get help reviewing scope, contractor bids, budget expectations, and project risks before making a major commitment. 👉 goEasyProject.com/clarity-call THE FOUR SCOPE CATEGORIES EVERY OWNER SHOULD REVIEW 1. Inclusions What is included in the price? 2. Exclusions What is not included? 3. Assumptions What conditions is the contractor assuming? 4. Allowances What placeholder amounts are being used? These four areas often explain why contractor bids can vary dramatically. The goal isn't simply finding the lowest price. The goal is understanding what each contractor is actually pricing. ACTION STEP Before requesting contractor pricing, create a simple one-page scope summary that includes: ✓ Project goals ✓ Major work items ✓ Finish expectations ✓ Known conditions ✓ Owner responsibilities ✓ Desired timeline The clearer the scope becomes, the better the pricing becomes. ABOUT EASY PROJECT Easy Project helps property owners plan, organize, and manage construction projects with greater clarity before construction begins. Plan Smarter. Build With Confidence. 🌐 goEasyProject.com #ContractorBids #ConstructionPlanning #BeforeYouBuild #ADU #HomeRemodel