Hello Reader,

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In the last couple months, I'd had a whole host of contractors here. From kitchen cabinets to crawl spaces, there is work to do.

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And, I will be the first to admit, getting bids can be absolutely overwhelming. Whether it's just the sheer amount of time involved or staring at numbers you had no idea could be so big. (Um, excuse me sir, I think you added an extra zero there....)

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Well, after having worked on several major remodels, I’ve got 6 tips for making the most of those home remodeling quotes. Because we want to make the most of it!

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6 Tips for Making the Most of Home Remodeling Quotes

• Be Transparent - "I'm in the early stages & gathering info" or "I just need some rough numbers to see if this is even possible"
• Value Everyone's Time, Including Yours - Block off enough time and be prepared with questions & details
• Take Opportunity to Learn - THIS!!! Much of what I've learned over the years is by soaking in these contractor meetings
• Ask Open Ended Questions - "Can you explain your process?" "What challenges do you see with this project?"
• Get at Least 3 Bids - Just like other aspects in life, there's always an outlier, you know, that one
• Get a Breakdown - When possible, ask for a itemization of costs. Is there area with some wiggle room? Can one part be done differently?

Check out my whole article for expanded examples and ideas:

While we're on the topic of remodels, might be a good time to check out my top projects:

Home Projects

How to Make Wood Shelves One of my very faves - also featured in HGTV! Read article

Budget Bathroom Makeover 6 ways I saved money on this DIY bathroom refresh Read article

How to Paint a Tile Fireplace Simple update with huge impact, you have to see the before! Read article

I hope these tips are helpful! As always, hit REPLY and send me your specific design questions - happy to help!