| Bids and Spreadsheets |
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Whether you’re using a remodeling or design program or not, you can take the printed plans to building material suppliers and ask them to bid on materials. It’s easier for them—and more accurate for you—if you can supply a specific materials list, but most suppliers can work directly from your remodel plans as long as they are comprehensive. Depending on the complexity of your basement remodeling project and your comfort level with computer software, you can develop a spreadsheet to help you in estimating materials and costs. The first column is for specific materials and subsequent columns are for costs from various suppliers. Or you can put materials in the first column with sizes and prices in the other columns. The advantage to a spreadsheet program is that it quickly can do the math for you. Alternately, you can buy some columnar accounting pads from a stationery store and fill in the blanks with your calculator nearby.
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