We did not chose any of the initial bidders as they exceeded our budget expectations. Currently, we have replaced windows, sliders, and front doors with the help of a different subcontractor (Angie list A contractor). We have purchased all the kitchen appliances/sink and range fan. We will start tearing up the guest bathroom in June, and will proceed to the kitchen.
Description of Work: Had Bedrock, Eberly, and Morse give us an estimate for kitchen and guest bath remodel in Davis, CA. Chose all three for estimates based on previous knowledge about the builders, checking BBB, license info, and finally Angie's review. In summary, all three have excellent reputations and all three said they would provide free estimates. I had researched heavily materials costs (retail) prior to the remodel to get an idea on a probable budget which I shared with them all. I then doubled these costs for a final budget estimate because as I explained to them all, I did not have a good feel for labor costs. All three were contacted, and at least one (Eberly) asked our budget limitations. Now it may be or not be in the clients best interest to reveal this information because in my experience as a buyer of advanced instrumentation for a major public university, your budget often becomes a myopic target. Often its better to have contractors understand they are bidding against others, and since they were all chosen based on their excellent reputations, in the end you go with the lowest bid and expect you will get an excellent product. Eberly Construction gave us a bid that did not include the bathroom because the kitchen alone had nearly exceeded our initial budget. After our initial meeting, that should have been obvious, and they should have parted ways with us. Bedrock worked diligently at the estimate, and initially we thought they would be our choice. However as they researched more, the budget just kept going up. Morse construction also exceeded our budget. As Eberle responded to my review of them, does that make us cheap or naive? Well maybe, but we told him we were naive and we did give him our budget, and all our retail material costs. Many of these folks have very thin skins and folks asking for "free" estimates" should be aware of this as not to take advantage of their time and energy. So we learned something from this process. However, I think most folks are in a similar position as us; you might have a guess as to what it will cost but you had rather have a hard answer before beginning a project. As Eberle appropriately points out , they have a lot invested in their business and their cost structure reflects that. Would all three have given us a great remodel. Of course, because I checked them all out before I started this process. The point is either because their cost structures are too great, or we are too cheap, we did not match up. So my wife and I are doing the remodel ourselves, hiring subcontractors as we need. So far so good, but we will just have to wait to the jobs completed to find out whether we were too naive/cheap or they were too pricey!