Cohousing-L Mailing List: Contracting Padded bids and/ scope of work with time and materials-plus with or without non-to-exceed? Re: prebuilt or owner built

[Wayne Tyson (landrest]

Rod and Coho:

In my experience with writing proposals and scopes of work, I've tried to 
write them clearly and comprehensively enough so that padding isn't needed 
(don't spook the estimator with vagueness), but tight enough so the 
contractor can't fudge. Change order provisions should be spelled out 
clearly so that neither party can get rich or be driven into the poorhouse 
as inevitably changes crop up. Contractors, and especially architects, 
should already know what kinds of change orders are common and what they 
should cost. A not-to-exceed amount should be the final governor. Please 
correct me if this is wrong or incomplete.

WT

PS: Ask past clients of both architects and contractors about the specifics 
of their experiences. Most experienced architects and contractors are 
competent and honest, but not a few are primarily smooth-talkers who will 
bid low to get the job, then make a bundle on change orders. It is the 
architect's responsibility to keep you out of this kind of trouble but be 
willing to pay her for it. Don't try to get something for nothing, but don't 
be a victim.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rod Lambert" <rod [at] ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us>
To: <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 1:35 PM
Subject: [C-L]_ prebuilt or owner built


>

> A general contractor, financially responsible for the entire project,
> has to pad his estimates to allow for unknowns especially with "unusual"
> projects. Subcontractors tend to know their specialties very well and
> can bid more closely to their actual costs.

> Rod