Bids vary wildly
- Most likely
- The scope is not written down
- DIY approach
- Write a one-page scope and send the identical document to every bidder.
- When to call a pro
- Not applicable.
- Typical cost
- $0
Home Improvement
Improvements that are worth the disruption
The projects that go badly are almost never the ones that were priced wrong. They are the ones that were scoped loosely. Write the scope before you take the first bid.
Common problems and what they usually mean
Not sure if a permit is needed
- Most likely
- Structural, electrical, plumbing or exterior change
- DIY approach
- Call your city building department and ask before work starts.
- When to call a pro
- The contractor should pull permits for permitted work.
- Typical cost
- Varies by city
Project keeps growing
- Most likely
- Undocumented change orders
- DIY approach
- Require every change in writing with a price before work resumes.
- When to call a pro
- Not applicable.
- Typical cost
- $0
Trades keep colliding
- Most likely
- Wrong sequence
- DIY approach
- Rough-in plumbing and electrical, then drywall, then paint, then flooring, then trim.
- When to call a pro
- A general contractor manages the sequence.
- Typical cost
- Varies
Cost ranges are planning information for the Dallas–Fort Worth area, not quotes. Only an in-person inspection by a qualified professional produces an assessment you can rely on.
Checklist
- Write a one-page scope before requesting bids
- Hold a 10–20% contingency
- Verify license and insurance for the specific trade
- Require line items, not lump sums, above a few thousand dollars
- Photograph behind every wall before it closes
Safety first
- Never skip a permit to save time — it surfaces at resale
- Test for lead and asbestos in homes built before 1980 prior to demolition
- Contain dust; it travels through the HVAC system