Business History & Licensing
Review available business records and applicable licensing information for the contractor and location. Identify missing or inconsistent information that needs clarification.
Construction Bid
Review
Confidence Before you Commit
PickFacts provides independent construction bid review for condo associations, property managers and homeowners. Be confident by understanding the differences in scope, allowances and exclusions, and research the contractors you are considering before approving a project or signing a contract.
PICKFACTS PROJECT REVIEW™
123 Maple Avenue
Westport, CT 06880
Proposal ScopeNeeds Clarity
Allowances3 to clarify
Exclusions2 flagged
ScheduleReview
View a Sample Report →Plan Review
We review drawings
for completeness
Scope & Exclusion
Know what is—and
isn't included
Cost Exposure
Understand where allowances
are being included
Know Before You Commit
We provide questions
to resolve
Cost Comparison
Clear cost comparison
and bid leveling
Before you build / renovate,
know what you're buying.
PICKFACTS reviews the information behind a construction commitment — proposals from multiple bidders, plans, scope, specifications, estimates and relevant property information.
ILLUSTRATIVE PROJECT · 123 MAPLE AVENUE
Three bids for the same renovation
Major whole-house renovation · Fictional bids
| Compare | Contractor A | Contractor B | Contractor C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall bid | $398,000 | $424,500 | $376,000 |
| Schedule | 30 weeks | 28 weeks | 36 weeks |
| Materials | $145,000 | $165,000 | $132,000 |
| Labor | $180,000 | $194,000 | $172,000 |
| Other costs | $73,000 | $65,500 | $72,000 |
| Bid based on | Drawings + site visit | Drawings, finishes + 2 visits | Photos + site visit; no drawings |
| Exclusions | Appliances, landscaping | Appliances, structural repairs | Landscaping, flooring, panel work |
| Cabinet allowance | $28,000 | $38,000 | $19,500 |
What the review reveals: Contractor C's lower bid is based on different information and excludes flooring and panel work. Ask for a revised price against the same drawings and scope.
CONTRACTOR RESEARCH
Know the proposal. Know who is behind it.
Before hiring, understand the contractor you are considering. PICKFACTS researches available business history, licensing information, insurance documentation, reviews and references, and flags gaps or questions to resolve before commitment.
Insurance Documentation
Review supplied insurance documents for stated coverage and dates. Identify questions to confirm directly with the insurer or broker before hiring.
Reviews & References
Review available customer feedback and references supplied by the contractor. Flag recurring concerns, gaps and follow-up questions relevant to your project.
Scope confirmed before starting: We agree which contractors and checks are included, what sources or documents are available and whether additional research requires a separate quote. Findings reflect available information and do not guarantee contractor performance.
WHAT YOUR REVIEW LOOKS LIKE
From proposal language to questions you can act on.
These findings are excerpted from the included fictional Renovation Project Review sample. They illustrate the written output; they are separate from the three-bid example above.
| Area | Sample finding | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Allowances | Cabinet hardware, plumbing fixtures and lighting contain allowances that may not match expected selections. | High |
| Exclusions | Painting, final cleaning and certain electrical fixture work appear excluded or unclear. | High |
| Schedule | Target duration is provided, but start date, milestones and delay responsibility are unclear. | Medium |
Example next step: Create an inclusions/exclusions matrix and have both parties initial it.
View a Sample Report →HOW IT WORKS
Three steps toward a clearer decision.
01 · SEND
Share your proposals.
Tell us about the project and provide the proposals, scope documents, plans or specifications you have. We confirm the review scope, fee and expected delivery before work begins.
02 · REVIEW
Receive written findings.
See proposal differences, unclear assumptions, allowances, exclusions and potential added costs, with practical questions to resolve.
03 · CLARIFY
Get answers before signing.
Use the findings to request clarification from contractors and support your own decision or the association’s approval discussion.
EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE QUESTIONS
Construction decisions seen from both sides of the table.
Robert Harvey · Founder
Robert brings business ownership and hands-on construction experience to questions about scope, contractor coordination and project costs.
Ryan Harvey · Advisor
Ryan’s architectural experience includes reviewing contractor proposals for scope, technical requirements and cost implications.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before you request a review.
Can I start with one contractor proposal?
Yes. A single proposal can be reviewed for scope, allowances, exclusions and unresolved questions. Comparing competing bids requires additional proposals; confirm the number to be reviewed when requesting your review.
What if we do not have drawings?
Start with the information you have. Tell us which documents are available so we can confirm an appropriate review scope and identify where missing information limits the findings.
Can you research the contractors we are considering?
Yes. Contractor Research can examine available business history, applicable licensing information, supplied insurance documentation, reviews and references. We confirm the contractors, checks, sources, fee and any limits before starting. Research supports your evaluation; it is not a guarantee of future performance.
Does PICKFACTS choose the contractor?
No. PICKFACTS provides independent information and questions to support your evaluation. The contractor-selection and approval decisions remain with you or your association.
Can a self-managed association use PICKFACTS?
Yes. Association presidents and volunteer boards can request a review directly. A property manager is not required.
How much does a review cost, and how long does it take?
Published Project Review prices start at $495 and scale by project value and complexity. A $400,000 project falls in the $795 tier. The final fee, number of proposals, included documents and expected delivery are confirmed before work begins.
See Project Review Pricing →Does this replace our architect, engineer or attorney?
No. The review provides information and decision support. Use the appropriate licensed professionals for design, engineering, legal and other specialist advice.
Before you sign, get the facts.
Get an independent review of your project before you commit.