Two bids on the same remodel can land thousands of dollars apart, and both can be honest. Usually they describe different jobs. The fix is not haggling. It is knowing the questions to ask a remodeler so every bid on your table describes the same kitchen or bathroom.
This guide covers what to ask before you sign, how to line up bids that look nothing alike, and the red flags worth walking away from. It applies whether you are hiring Posada Remodeling & Design or anyone else in Central Florida.
Questions to ask a remodeler before you sign
Most of these take a minute to answer. A remodeler who is comfortable with the work will answer them plainly and put the answers in writing.
About the price
- What exactly is included? Demolition, haul-away, protection of floors and furniture, and final cleanup should all be named, not assumed.
- What is an allowance, and how much is it? If tile, cabinets or countertops are an allowance, ask for the dollar figure behind each one.
- How are changes priced? Ask for the change-order process in writing before work starts.
- What is the payment schedule? Payments should follow progress, not run ahead of it.
About the people
- Who does the work? Ask which trades are in-house and which are subcontracted.
- Who is my point of contact? You want one name you can call, not a switchboard.
- Are you insured? Ask to see the certificate, and make sure it is current.
About the schedule and permits
- When can you start, and how long will it take? Ask what the timeline depends on, especially cabinet and countertop lead times.
- Does any part of this job need a permit? Many interior remodels need none. Structural and exterior changes usually do.
- If a permit is needed, who pulls it? Ask whose license it will be pulled under.
For context on timing, see our guide to how long a kitchen or bathroom remodel takes, and for the permit side, when a Florida remodel needs a permit.
Questions to ask a contractor before hiring: the ones people skip
The questions homeowners forget are usually the ones that decide how the project feels day to day.
- How will you protect the rest of the house? Dust walls, floor protection and a clear path in and out matter in an occupied home.
- What happens if you find a problem behind the wall? Older Central Florida homes can hide water damage or outdated wiring. Ask how that gets priced and approved.
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long? Get workmanship and product warranties in writing.
- Can I see finished work like mine? A project gallery of similar rooms tells you more than a sales pitch.
How to compare remodeling bids that look different
Bids rarely arrive in the same format. One is a single number, another runs four pages. Before comparing totals, put them in the same shape.
- List every line of scope from the most detailed bid.
- Mark each other bid against that list: included, excluded, or unclear.
- Turn every allowance into a dollar figure and compare those figures directly.
- Ask each remodeler to price anything their bid left out.
- Compare the totals only after the scopes match.
Most of the gap between a low bid and a high bid closes during this step. What is left is usually the real difference in materials, crew and finish quality.
| What to compare | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of work | Every task named, room by room | Missing tasks come back as change orders |
| Allowances | A dollar figure for each selection | Low allowances make a bid look cheaper than the finished job |
| Materials | Brand, line or grade specified | “Tile” can mean very different products |
| Schedule | Start date and working duration | Tells you whether lead times were planned for |
| Payment schedule | Payments tied to milestones | Keeps money in step with progress |
| Warranty | Workmanship and product terms | Tells you who stands behind the work |
| Change orders | A written process and pricing method | Protects both sides when plans change |
If you are still building a budget, our kitchen remodel cost guide and bathroom remodel cost guide show typical Central Florida ranges.
Red flags in a remodeling quote
None of these alone proves a problem. Two or three together are worth taking seriously.
- A large deposit due before any schedule or materials are confirmed.
- A discount that only applies to cash payment.
- No written contract, or a contract with no scope attached.
- No proof of insurance when you ask.
- No change-order process, or “we will figure it out as we go.”
- Pressure to sign today to hold a price.
How Posada answers these questions
Every Posada project starts with an in-home consultation and a written scope. Selections are made room by room, so what we quote is what gets built. Michael Posada walks every project personally.
Posada Remodeling & Design is a remodeling company, not a general contractor. When a permit is required, that work goes through our licensed general contractor partner, and all work is completed to the Florida Building Code.
Financing is available too. See remodel financing in Central Florida for how it works.
Frequently asked questions
What should you ask a remodeler before hiring them?
Ask what the price includes, what the allowances are, who does the work, how changes are priced, and to see proof of insurance. Get the answers in writing before you sign.
Why are remodeling bids so different?
Usually because they quote different scopes and material allowances, not because one company is cheaper. Matching the scopes line by line is how you compare fairly.
How many bids should I get for a remodel?
Two or three is usually enough. More than that makes the scopes harder to line up and rarely changes the decision.
Should I pick the lowest bid?
Only after the scopes match. A low bid that leaves out demolition, cleanup or realistic allowances often ends up costing more.
How much deposit is normal for a remodel?
It varies by company and project. What matters is that payments follow progress and that the schedule is written into the contract.
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Posada Remodeling & Design designs and builds kitchen and bathroom remodels for homeowners across Orlando, Winter Park, Longwood, Ocoee, Windermere and Lake Mary.
Explore our kitchen remodeling services and bathroom remodeling services, browse our project gallery, or get a free estimate.