I actually think calling past clients is smart, not overkill at all. I’ve done it a couple times, especially when the job was going to be expensive or complicated. Most people I talked to were fine with it—maybe a little surprised, but they seemed to get it. I’d rather feel a bit awkward up front than end up with a mess down the line.
About quotes, I always ask for a detailed breakdown. Some folks will just give you a lump sum, but I want to know exactly what’s going into labor, materials, even disposal fees. It’s your money and your house—you’ve got every right to be picky. One time I got a quote where “miscellaneous” was like 15% of the total cost... turned out that was just their buffer for mistakes. After that, I started asking more questions.
Honestly, if someone gets weird about explaining their pricing or providing references, that’s usually my cue to move on. The good ones don’t mind being transparent.
Calling past clients is just due diligence, if you ask me. I’ve never understood why some folks act like it’s crossing a line. If someone’s done good work, they should be happy to have you talk to their old customers. I’ve had a couple contractors who practically handed me a list—those are the ones I trust more.
On the quotes, I’m with you on wanting details. I had a guy once who just wrote “paint and repair” for half the house, with no breakdown. When I asked for more info, he got defensive, which was a red flag. Ended up going with someone else who itemized everything, right down to the primer and caulk. It’s not about being nitpicky—it’s just wanting to know where your money’s going.
One thing I’ve learned with old houses: always ask about how they’ll handle surprises. Stuff like hidden water damage or weird wiring tends to pop up once you start opening walls. The good ones will be upfront about how they deal with that—some even put in a line item for “contingency” and walk you through what it covers. I’d rather have that conversation before the work starts than get blindsided halfway through.
I do think there’s a balance, though. I’ve had contractors who were so detailed in their quotes it was almost overwhelming—twenty pages of line items for a small job. At some point, you have to trust your gut, too. If they’re open and willing to explain things, that goes a long way in my book.
And yeah, if someone’s cagey about references or pricing, I just move on. There are enough good folks out there who don’t mind being transparent. No need to settle for less, especially when it comes to your own place.
One thing I’ve learned with old houses: always ask about how they’ll handle surprises.
Had a guy once who listed “miscellaneous fasteners” on his quote and when I asked what that meant, he said “screws and stuff.” Not exactly confidence-inspiring. I’d rather have too much info than too little—at least then you know what you’re paying for, even if it means wading through pages of “caulk and tape.” And yeah, I hear you on the surprises. My 1920s house had knob-and-tube wiring hidden behind one wall—talk about a fun day...
Definitely relate to the “screws and stuff” line—makes you wonder what else is getting lumped in under “miscellaneous.” I always ask for a breakdown, even if it means reading through a mini-novel of materials. Surprises are just part of the deal with older homes, but clear communication goes a long way. Had a contractor once who actually labeled a line item as “magic fixes”—turns out that meant patching up whatever weirdness we found behind the walls. At least he had a sense of humor... but yeah, I’d rather know what I’m paying for, even if it’s just caulk and tape.
I totally get the “magic fixes” thing—my first reno, I had a line for “miscellaneous labor” that turned out to be everything from moving outlets to patching up mystery holes. Here’s what I do now: 1) Ask for a detailed estimate, even if it’s long. 2) Request photos or quick notes when they run into surprises. 3) Keep a running list of what gets added or changed. It’s not foolproof, but it helps me feel less in the dark when those weird charges pop up.