Show every bidder the same priorities
Share the same site photos, desired features, known water or slope issues, timing and approximate investment range. Ask contractors to identify unknowns that need a site visit or design work. Comparable inputs make proposals easier to evaluate.
A contractor should be able to explain which decisions are settled and which depend on investigation.
Read the scope line by line
Look for demolition, excavation, base preparation, drainage, wall construction, hardscape, planting, cleanup and material specifications where relevant. Ask about exclusions and allowances. If one proposal is much shorter, clarify what is missing before judging the price.
A major build benefits from a clear sequence and a process for changes discovered on site.
Review relevant work honestly
Ask to see work similar in scale or site conditions, ideally with photos that show more than the finished surface. Discuss how the team handled drainage, access or a difficult grade. Real examples are more useful than broad claims or unverified review numbers.
Use our real project photo section as a starting point for discussing relevant work.
Agree on next steps
Clarify who develops the design, how the estimate will be refined, what decisions you must make and how scheduling works. A useful first call should establish whether the project is a good fit and what information is needed next.
Read the renovation planning guide or request a project call.
Questions to bring to the first call
- Are all proposals describing the same work?
- What is excluded or unresolved?
- Who coordinates design and construction?
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