You’re moving forward with your project — congratulations! To help you work through the hiring process, we talked to an industry insider. Tyler Grace is an interior remodeling contractor and the owner of TRG Home Concepts in Medford, New Jersey. His advice challenges the conventional wisdom in favor of a thoughtful approach that’s more akin to requesting a commission. “Hire based on your needs and what you value,” Grace advises. Ready for the details? 

If this is your first foray into home improvement, you might need a quick primer. For example, you might be wondering: What’s the difference between a bid and an estimate? Although the terms could be defined differently depending on who you ask, it’s safe to think of a bid as being a bit more formal and fleshed out than an estimate. The price included in an estimate is simply that — a guess as to the project total. 

In contrast, a bid should include some key details like:

• The scope of work
• The budget for the project
• A timeline detailing when various stages of the project will be done

You want a bid to help you evaluate what a contractor is offering and to help you compare your options. However, Grace points out that it’s a “preliminary document,” so it won’t tell you everything you need to know. 

So how are you supposed to find out everything you need to know to make a confident hiring decision? We’ve got a three-step process that should help you narrow in on a contractor who’s right for you.