Move a deal forward

How to estimate renovations and get contractor bids

Turn a rough repair idea into a scope that contractors can respond to.

The outcome

Prepare a comparable scope of work and request suitable bids without mistaking an estimate for a quote.

Before you start

  • Review the property’s available condition information.
  • Separate confirmed repair needs from assumptions that require an inspection.

The workflow

Work through it

6 steps
  1. 01

    Review Scope of work on the property

    Open the relevant repair categories and inspect the assumptions and estimated ranges. Missing condition information is a reason to verify the scope, not to assume there are no repairs.

  2. 02

    Define what is included

    Describe the work by trade or area: flooring, bathrooms, roof, electrical, and other relevant items. Include quantities or finish expectations when known, and identify unresolved issues.

  3. 03

    Check the overall renovation budget

    Use the Rehab Budget calculator when you need a broader scenario. Include a contingency and any applicable adders, and keep this estimate aligned with the property’s deal analysis.

    Open Calculators
  4. 04

    Start the bid workflow

    Use Get competitive bids from the relevant scope category, or open Get bids. Confirm that the selected trade matches the work you actually need.

    Open Get bids
  5. 05

    Complete the project details

    Work through the trade, project size, renovation scope, and requested contact details. Review the summary before submitting. If you go back a step, check that the intended trade and scope are still selected.

  6. 06

    Compare the same work

    Use the available Copy brief or Email action to communicate the scope consistently. When quotes arrive through the applicable contact method, compare inclusions, exclusions, schedule, licensing, insurance, and payment terms before choosing a contractor.

Worked example

A scope contractors can compare

Instead of “redo the floors,” describe the approximate floor area, the intended finish, removal of existing material, preparation needs, and disposal. Ask each contractor to state what their quote excludes.