What to expect at a free in-home remodeling estimate

What the visit is

The contractor comes to your home, walks the project with you and listens to what you want. They take measurements and look at the existing space. They talk through your ideas and your budget. They also flag anything that could change the scope, such as load-bearing walls, permits or code requirements.

Then they go write the estimate. You do not get a final price on the spot. A good estimate takes time, because it lists the scope, the materials and the timeline in detail.

Before the visit: what to have ready

• Photos and ideas. Pictures of what you like, and a few of what you do not.
• A rough budget. You do not have to name it, but you should know it. It helps the contractor point you to what fits.
• A wish list and a must-have list. Two lists make the tradeoffs easy to talk about.
• HOA information. If you have an HOA, the homeowner files the application, and the contractor can provide specs and drawings. Have your HOA rules handy.
• A survey or site plan. For an addition, Manatee County's FAQ says the Residential permit category requires building plans and a site plan or survey. If you have your survey, bring it.
• Insurance paperwork. After storm damage, have the claim information and any adjuster notes ready.

During the visit: what the contractor should do

• Walk every space that is changing, and the spaces next to it.
• Take measurements.
• Ask how you use the space and what bothers you about it.
• Point out anything that affects the scope, such as walls that may hold up the roof, or work that needs a permit.
• Tell you what the next step is and when you will have the estimate.

Ask your own questions too. Our guide to questions to ask a remodeling contractor gives a full list. Ask for the license number and look it up on myfloridalicense.com. The page lets you search by name or license number.

Be honest about the budget and the things that worry you. If you have been burned by a contractor before, say so. A good contractor uses that to shape how they communicate. If you are comparing bids, say that too. A confident contractor will not mind.

Take notes, or ask to take photos of the areas discussed. Notes taken during the visit make it easy to check later that the written estimate matches what was said.

After the visit: the written estimate

A good estimate is in writing and gives you the scope, the materials, the timeline and the warranty. It should be detailed enough to compare line by line against another bid. Our guide to how to compare estimates shows what to look for.

Read it. Ask about anything you do not understand. Ask what is not included, and how changes are handled. Do not sign until you are comfortable. See change orders explained for how changes should work.

Check the estimate against your notes from the visit. Does it include every room and item you talked about? Does it name the materials you chose? Does it say who pulls the permits? If anything is missing, ask the contractor to add it or explain why it is left out. A short email is enough. Keep the reply with your records.

If you are comparing more than one bid, wait until you have them all before you decide. Then line them up using our comparison checklist, and ask each contractor the same follow-up questions so the answers are fair to compare. The contractor who explains the estimate best is often the one who will communicate best during the job.

What the visit should not feel like

• A hard sell or a "sign today" discount.
• A price given in five minutes with no measuring.
• A contractor who will not say whether a permit is needed.
• Vague answers about the license, the insurance or the warranty.

A visit should leave you with a clearer idea of the project, not a feeling of pressure.

Getting the space ready

You do not need to clean up for the visit, but you should make the space easy to see and measure. Clear a path to the rooms in question. Move small items off counters and out of cabinets if you can. Put pets in another room. Make sure the contractor can reach the attic hatch, the electrical panel and the water shutoff if they need them.

If more than one person will live with the result, have them there. It is easier to talk through choices once than to pass them back and forth later.

Questions to ask before they leave

• When will I have the written estimate?
• Does it include permits, and who pulls them?
• What could change the price after I sign?
• Who will be my contact once the job starts?
• What is the next step if I want to move forward?

Write the answers down. You will want them when you compare bids.

How a Hildebrand visit works

Hildebrand's consultation is free, with no trip fee and no pressure. Every job is quoted after an on-site visit. The company walks the project with you, takes measurements, talks through your ideas and your budget and flags anything that affects the scope, like load-bearing walls, permits or code requirements. You get straight answers from a licensed contractor.

After the visit, you get a detailed written estimate with the scope, materials, timeline and warranty. The price does not change without your written approval. To book, call or text (941) 284-2218, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, or leave your name and number and we call back by the next business day. See the process page and the pricing page.

Questions homeowners ask