Just got some bids back for a basement remodel. I spent a lot of time researching the "right" contractors on Angie's List and through a couple of recommendations (short on resources there). On Angie's List, reviewers can include a price paid for the work and before and after pictures. Based on these reviews I was able to determine an expected cost for a similar level of effort, similar level of quality. Based on what I've ::heard::, prices for construction materials are way down right now. The bids I got are about $10K more (25%) than I was anticipating with the above web research.
1. I don't think I'm seeing the current materials costs savings passed-through.
--Wondering if there are web tools to evaluate current materials cost based on a location (zip, etc.) so that I can confirm my suspicion before I call BS on materials costs.
2. I think I'm seeing a premium tacked on for their reputation. Fair enough.
--How do I go about finding a contractor that is "hungry" for work, perhaps new to area and looking to build reputation but solid elsewhere, or perhaps a talented young crew (L&B) without the overhead. Anyone know folks like this in Portland? I'm the first of my friends to be taking on something like this, so I don't have a good network for recommendations.
I'm sure there is a better forum, but this is the only one I belong to...
Ideas?
edit: I don't want cheap-o, and I know this stuff costs real money for real talent. Bad work can haunt for years and cost almost as much to fix. I am not looking to find some schmo off CL. Repeat, I recognize the value and talent of professional contractors.
1. I don't think I'm seeing the current materials costs savings passed-through.
--Wondering if there are web tools to evaluate current materials cost based on a location (zip, etc.) so that I can confirm my suspicion before I call BS on materials costs.
2. I think I'm seeing a premium tacked on for their reputation. Fair enough.
--How do I go about finding a contractor that is "hungry" for work, perhaps new to area and looking to build reputation but solid elsewhere, or perhaps a talented young crew (L&B) without the overhead. Anyone know folks like this in Portland? I'm the first of my friends to be taking on something like this, so I don't have a good network for recommendations.
I'm sure there is a better forum, but this is the only one I belong to...
Ideas?
edit: I don't want cheap-o, and I know this stuff costs real money for real talent. Bad work can haunt for years and cost almost as much to fix. I am not looking to find some schmo off CL. Repeat, I recognize the value and talent of professional contractors.