Q&A with Jean: How Many Contractor Bids Should I Get?
Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. 
Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
Sweeten’s Founder + CEO Answers Your Renovation Questions
Confused about renovation? We’ve got you covered. In this episode, we’ll tackle common questions and provide expert advice to help you navigate your next project. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a serial renovator, each project brings with it a new set of circumstances and new questions, and Sweeten is here to be a source of knowledge and reassurance.
How many contractor bids should I get?
JEAN: We find that three bids give you a really good sense of where the price range for your scope of work falls. You also get the chance to meet different personality types of general contractors so that you can find the best fit for the way you like to communicate and for your project.
Looking for more advice from Jean? Be sure to check out the tenth installment in this series, Q&A with Jean: How much time should I spend selecting and ordering materials?
Negotiating and accepting a bid
Once you have received bids from a few contractors, you can start to negotiate. Be sure to carefully review each bid and ask any questions you have about the scope of work, materials, and timeline. Be clear about your budget and what you are willing to spend. However, it is also important to be realistic about the cost of your project. If a bid seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Choosing the Right Contractor
Price is not the only factor to consider when choosing a contractor. It is also important to find a contractor who you feel comfortable with and who you trust to do a good job. Be sure to meet with each contractor in person and ask them questions about their experience, their process, and their warranty. It is also important to check their references. Once you have chosen a contractor, be sure to get everything in writing, including the scope of work, the price, and the timeline.
Ready to start your renovation journey?
Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream home a reality. Sweeten puts you in control of your renovation, from finding the perfect contractor and gathering design inspiration, to using cost guides to plan your budget wisely.
