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Once you have the completed the final floor plan
drawings, you can proceed with finding a contactor and obtaining
any necessary building permits. General contractor candidates can
provide detailed quotes based on the project drawings, and formulate
accurate materials lists and costs. It is important that you request
a detailed quote for the project, with costs for services, materials,
and other expenses broken down. Don’t settle for just an estimate.
Quotes are firm. Estimates are not firm, and costs can drastically
increase for a project. By requesting a firm quote, you are asking
for a cost guarantee. Contactors will make allowance for cost over-runs
in the quote.
Estimating the cost can be rather complicated: homeowners will need
to know exactly what materials will be needed, and at what price.
As mentioned earlier, specifics for lumber dimensions and quantities,
hardware and fixtures, concrete, roofing materials, wiring, plumbing
pipe and fixtures, floor coverings, sheetrock, siding, paint, appliances,
and any other materials are required to help calculate project costs.
Don’t forget to include all contracted services and building
permit fees in the final figure.
The general contractor contract should specify who will be responsible
for obtaining necessary permits. Usually the contractor is named;
he is more knowledgeable about legal requirements and can answer
questions from the building inspector more efficiently. As a rule
several copies of your drawings should be submitted to the local
building inspector for examination and approval.
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