Poll of the Day > Questions about getting contractor bids

(+) Yeah! (+)

Now that I have a new job I would like to some pretty big landscaping to my yards

It's kind of intimidating thinking about coordinating to get bids. How do I know if a bid is reasonable? If a bid is inexpensive how do I know it's quality work?

I've never had to do anything like this before and I don't really have family to ask these things

Also does it matter if multiple contractors come at the same time to do an estimate? Is that a faux pas? Or even something I should do? I feel like I should be focusing on one person at a time so we can both understand what it is I want.

How do I know what is a good value if I have no clue about landscaping and materials costs?

Jen0125 posted...

How do I know what is a good value if I have no clue about landscaping and materials costs?

A friend. Or a friend of a friend who knows about it.

I would see if any of your neighbours have had similar work done, and how much they got it for. That would be ideal but not essential.

generally speaking you get three quotes. Helps flush out one thats too cheap or too expensive. At work well typically go out to 3-5 companies and for the same scope of work theyre prices will be within the same sort of range with some outliers either side. Long as they fully understand the scope of work just go for the best combination of price, reputation, and timescale.

I wouldnt bring them in at the same time personally

a good general rule of thumb for any contract work is never go with the cheapest option. Most of the time those are rush jobs and they are not gonna care about quality.

I suggest trying at least 3 contractors, not at the same time, and ask all of them for references as well. Also check them out on social media/google if they have a facebook account etc. There is often alot of information out there about a contractor and you can get a preview of problems you might have.

The references are usually cherry picked so not as much help as looking them up online (you will see some negative ones probably, but how negative is telling), but it's still good to ask for them since if they don't have any at all that can be a red flag (and you can make up online references/comments etc easily).

Also use facebook if you have friends in your area etc, and ask if any of them have had similar work done and can recommend someone. That is often the best way to get a really reliable contactor (and often a good price as well!!). Even if it's just friends of friends or a friend of yours knows someone who had similar work done, it can lead you to someone who is trustworthy and not too expensive.

Some of the best contractors that are not massively expensive are individuals or small teams that don't do massive advertising etc. We had a set of stairs made down the cliff in front of this house to the beach. We hired this contractor and did research first and he did an amazing job for much less then most others would have charged. It's super sturdy a year later after tons of very harsh weather here (massive wind storms cause it's off the water).

Back in Gilroy CA we also hired them, usually from word of mouth/friends who had used them already and we spread the name of the contractors ourselves afterwards. Honestly good ones really get a reputation and the word spreads fast, so you can usually tell someone is good/reliable because alot of people will gush about them.

Ask your neighbors if any of them have ever hired a contractor. I got roped into redoing the conference room at work and had to hire painters and electricians. I asked the building owner who he used and I called them and a few others.

Thanks for the advice guys

Hire all of them and make them fight to the death. Don't worry, they probably have interns just for that.