Getting Down "2" Business

See how happy that number two looks? That's how we feel. We're just two months out from our project start date, and we're not just sitting around counting the days. We're kicking butts and taking names! Well, names of contractors that is.

We started a few weeks ago with a list of four contractors. We won't mention names, but let's call them 1, 2, 3 and 4. Creative, huh? We've met with each contractor to discuss the project and let them see our space, with the hopes of having quotes from each within 2 weeks and picking one by the beginning of August. We just received our first quote back today, so things are moving along. Here's a little about each one.

Contractor 1:
This guy was referred by one of Chris' professional contacts. He had completed a kitchen remodel for a friend of theirs, and came highly recommended.  We got a good impression of him when we met. He measured our space and agreed with most of our ideas for the remodel. There were one or two things (such as the pocket door on the upstairs bathroom) that he shot down so that would be something we'd have to think through or try to negotiate moving forward. 

Contractor 2:
This guy was referred by the same professional contact as Contractor 1, after completing that person's kitchen remodel. Unfortunately, when we met with him we decided he just wasn't a good fit for our project. He didn't bring a tape measure, took no notes on our plans, and admitted that if it were up to him he'd do only commercial construction and no residential. Buh-bye buddy!

Contractor 3:
We met this guy very early in our planning when we were scoping out local cabinet makers. He worked for a cabinet making company and even though at the time our job was a year out, he was willing to meet with us and help us with planning and budgeting. He helped us see past our kitchen's current boxy shape, suggesting that we knock out a wall and make the most of our first floor. We've kept in touch over the past year, and when he came out to see the space again he was very positive and willing to make all of our hopes work, even if some were a bit out of the ordinary.

Contractor 4:
This guy was recommended by a friend who is an interior designer and has worked with him on a few jobs. He was very pleasant and down to earth when he came out to see the space, and seemed willing to make most of our plans work out. He even had a few ideas to contribute that he thought would improve our existing ideas.

With all the contractors, we asked certain questions including their years in the business (all had 20+), their most common projects (generally kitchens, bathrooms, basements and additions), what work they hire out (all hire plumbing, electrical, flooring, cabinet-making while they varied on drywall and framing) and whether they generally pull permits (1 said always, 3 said sometimes and 4 said usually - we didn't ask 2 because he'd already left by that point) and how long they thought our project would take (1 said 6 weeks, 3 said 4 weeks and 4 said 6-8 weeks).

As we receive quotes, we'll also request references and proof of insurance for each contender. Our first quote was within the price range we anticipated, so we feel like we're off to a good start!