Contractors generally have a core crew for most general work and then subcontract out parts of jobs to specialists and oversee the timing and coordination of the entire project. Get a bids from three different contractors that have been recommended to you by previous customers and go with the person that you feel you can work best with.

As the previous poster noted, a GC will normally have a crew which will handle the general work. Our contractor however is able to handle jobs which are normally subed out. In the case of our remodel, he handled the demo, the pouring of our slab, framing, plumbing, and cabinet installation. The only subs were the electrician, sprinkler installer and the drywallers. I'm doing the painting and trim. I found that GCs that do most of the work themselves normally complete a job a lot faster. There seems to be less of a scheduling problem.

I think the crew will be doing it all. I have already had 3 quotes on the concrete floor, and I am wondering if the gc can do as good a job as someone who works with only concrete. I thought the overall price was reasonable, but I guess it's not a ton of stuff, just some knockdown and dry wall.

I got a second contractor to look today, but he wont have an estimate back for 1.5 weeks! The first contractor called me the next AM with the estimate. I just found these two on a city contractor website. They both seem okay. Can you bargain with them on the price, or is that insulting or a bad idea? I wasnt planning to, but I am curious.

With a remodeling contractor you want to worry about quality first and cost second. Obviously money is an issue for most of us, but a crummy job at a good price is worse than not doing the remodel in my opinion.

Get some references from anyone who is bidding, and talk to them about how reliable and honest and competent they found the guy. A contractor who gets back to you fast could be good...or could be so bad he's having trouble getting work.

As for bargaining, they've got material costs, salary costs, and profit margin. A good contractor will work with you on materials and construction details to help you keep the costs under control, but I don't think you'll get far with asking for an arbitrary reduction in costs, and, if you do, you may find out later that corners were cut to reduce the price.

My general philosophy is to not ask my brain surgeon or my contractor to give me the coupon special!

Thanks for the advice. I am scared to bargain, in case they cut corners or dont do as good a job. So far, everyone who has come by has been very professional.

Thanks,

jenny

We are electrical contractors in Dallas. We have substantial business of our own but we do work with two general contractors. The traditional GC has a cadre of tradesmen and corrordinates their work. He is also the contact with the home owner. The other GC with which we work has crews of his own that does all of the structural work, siding, etc. However, he subs out electrical (us), plumbing, flooring, painting, etc. When ever we work for him it's like old home week because we all work for Andy.
The traditional guy keeps his job site like a pig pen. The guy who has his own crew keeps his job site immaculate. IMO, this is a major issue.