Independently Developed Scope of Work for Contractor Bidding

Has anyone ever hired a contractor just to put together a very detailed scope of work that can be shopped around to other firms for bidding? Not sure if this is a concept for remodeling projects, but I’ve seen it done in other industries.

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in General Discussion 4 years and 6 months ago

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restorationcontractor | 4 years and 6 months ago

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Your should start with an architect who will draw plans and write up an initial scope. It can then be tweaked with the input of qualified contractors during the bidding process. We do it all the time, you will need an architect for filing anyway.

I don’t think your idea is bad I just don’t see how well it will work in NYC, and then there is still the D.O.B filing and permitting.

If you must go that route I would find a qualified contractor who is able to do the work as well and compensate them to write the scope.

I am glad to hear you appreciate how the “free estimate” works, it’s not a great system, most people don’t understand the time and effort it takes and if you don’t get the project all your time was wasted. I think most people would not be happy if they had to work for free!

Also the scope should include everything you are doing in detail, but just as importantly clarify what you are NOT doing. I see many disputes between contractors and clients simply because the scope was vague.

dorkofwindsor | 4 years and 6 months ago

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it really sounds like you need an architect. Your expectations already sound beyond reality for nyc. good luck.

hkapstein | 4 years and 6 months ago

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You may want to look into a design build operation. That seems to target exactly what you are trying to achieve.

true | 4 years and 6 months ago

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I also found this contractor (unfortunately out of the area for Brooklyn) who is tremendously professional & organized: he charges clients for a detailed estimate and credits it back to the job if chosen https://www.instagram.com/jonbeercontracting/?hl=en I might ask him to scope my job. I’m less interested in aesthetic input and instead want to go back and forth on our options with a trusted builder.

true | 4 years and 6 months ago

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Thanks Urbandad — from your comment, I found this architect on youtube who shares what a very detailed set of drawings looks like for a big project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4SvkO8G3K8

hkapstein | 4 years and 6 months ago

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This is typically the job of an architects, engineers, and other design professionals such as interior designers. You can have detailed shop drawings of everything you are doing, materials schedules, mechanical diagrams, etc.

true | 4 years and 6 months ago

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Agreed vard01, I’ve had similar experiences. To be fair, I think a detailed GC plan takes a considerable amount of time and care & the ‘free estimate’ norm puts pressure on the GC to rush. That’s why I’m considering just paying a GC to do a good, technical job at it with several back and forth iterations with our family. Would love to learn if this is a bad idea for some reason.

hasibur.rahman07 | 4 years and 6 months ago

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Most of them I find are really loath to put pen to paper in a way that is detailed and mentions the details that an owner might be particular about. I am guessing if there is a project manager on the GC side it may work better. I wrote the scopes with an architect and still got back a completely different document with none of the detail I had included. I have tried writing docs with my GC for the subs and same issue.