SIMPLY HOME / BLOG

How to Compare Remodel Bids in Austin (So You Don’t Blow the Budget)

Q: What is an allowance in a remodel bid?

An allowance is a placeholder budget for selections like tile, lighting, cabinetry, or fixtures. If final selections exceed the allowance, the homeowner typically pays the difference.

Q: How much contingency should I plan for?

Contingency depends on scope clarity and unknown conditions. Many homeowners plan a 5–10% buffer, with higher-unknown remodels sometimes requiring more.

Q: Is the lowest bid always a red flag?

Not always, but it should prompt questions. Confirm the full scope, realistic allowances, and a clear change-order process are included.

Q: Can I get help comparing bids?

Yes. A complimentary phone consultation can help identify scope gaps, allowance issues, and timeline assumptions so you can make a confident decision.

Compare remodel bids in Austin with confidence. Use our checklist to review scope, allowances, contingency, timelines, and change-order policies—so you choose the right contractor, not just the lowest price.

Typical remodel timelines in Austin

These are planning averages, not promises. Actual timelines depend on scope complexity, material lead times, and whether permitting is required.

Kitchen remodel timeline

Most kitchen remodels average about 2 months from the start of construction to completion.

If permitting is required, plan for an additional 2–4 weeks depending on scope and inspection sequencing.

Bathroom remodel timeline

Most bathroom remodels average about 1 to 1.5 months.

If permitting is required, plan for an additional 1–2 weeks.

Full home remodel timeline

Full home remodels commonly range 4–8 months, depending on scope, phasing, and complexity.

If permitting is required, it can add about a month to the overall timeline depending on the scope and approvals/inspections needed.

A simple rule: timelines are driven less by square footage and more by scope decisions, sequencing, and approvals.

Permits in Austin: how they affect remodel timelines

Not every remodel requires permits, but when permits are needed, they can impact both start dates and construction sequencing (especially when inspections are part of the critical path).

Kitchen remodels: permitting can add ~2–4 weeks
Bathroom remodels: permitting can add ~1–2 weeks
Additions / full home remodels: permitting can add ~1 month

We plan for permits early on as part of our process to keep projects efficient and effective—so approvals and inspections don’t become last-minute surprises.

The phases of a remodel (and what each phase controls)

A predictable remodel isn’t about rushing. It’s about putting the right work in the right order.

1 | Scope definition (what are we actually building?)

2 | Design + selections (preventing “decision delays”)

3 | Pre-construction planning (the “efficiency” phase)

4 | Permitting + inspections (when applicable)

5 | Construction (execution + coordination)

6 | Punch + closeout (where quality shows up)

find out how long my remodel will take

What delays remodels most often (and how to avoid it)

These are the most common reasons projects run long:

1 | Scope changes after construction starts

2 | Late selections and missed decision deadlines

3 | Material lead times and backorders

4 | Hidden conditions

5 | Permits and inspections (when required)

6 | Weak project management cadence

Living through a remodel: what’s realistic (and what’s not)

Not every remodel requires permits, but when permits are needed, they can impact both start dates and construction sequencing (especially when inspections are part A common question is whether you can live in your home during a remodel. The answer depends on scope and how the project is phased.of the critical path).

Kitchens and bathrooms

In many cases, kitchen and bathroom remodels are doable to live through, but life can be harder during construction. It helps to plan for:

temporary kitchen or bathing setups
limited access during certain phases
noise/dust realities (even with good protection)
logistics for pets, kids, or working from home

A clear plan for site protection and consistent communication can make a big difference in how manageable the experience feels.

Full home remodels

A full home remodel typically cannot be lived in unless the project is intentionally planned in phases (for example, one wing or level at a time) and the scope supports keeping essential spaces functional. Even with phasing, it can be disruptive and may extend timelines.

If living in the home is a priority, discuss it early—phasing decisions are most effective when they’re built into the schedule from the beginning.

How Simply Home protects timelines (what “predictable” looks like)

A predictable remodel isn’t luck—it’s process. Practices that help keep projects moving:

Scope defined line by line so fewer items are missed
Milestone-based scheduling with clear sequencing
Decision deadlines tied to construction needs
Early ordering strategy for long-lead items
Weekly communication cadence to keep momentum and resolve issues quickly
Clear change process so adjustments don’t derail the plan

If timeline certainty is a priority, the best time to protect it is before construction begins. Compare remodel bids to ensure your plan is accurate.

Plan your remodel with clarity.

‍If you’re planning a kitchen, bathroom, or full-home remodel in Austin/Westlake, we offer complimentary phone consultations to help you align scope, budget, and timeline—before construction begins.

Find out how long my remodel will take Call Simply Home

FAQs

1 | How long does a kitchen remodel take in Austin?

2 | How long does a bathroom remodel take?

3 | How long does a full home remodel take?

4 | Can I live in my home during a kitchen or bathroom remodel?

5 | Can I live in my home during a full home remodel?

6 | What causes remodel timelines to run long?

Dreaming of a Home That Truly Works for Your Family

I’m always looking around my home, dreaming about all the projects I’d love to tackle.
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The bathroom that feels a little too dark and cramped.
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The kitchen that bottlenecks every single morning.
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The living room that never quite functions the way you want it to.
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Or that one space that just… isn’t you. The style, the colors, the way it’s laid out—it doesn’t make you feel how you want to feel in your own home.And then real life kicks in. There are kids. Work. School runs. Sports. Maybe pregnancy. Maybe aging parents.

And suddenly the questions start stacking up:

Who do I trust in my home and around my kids?
How long is this really going to take?
What if the budget gets out of control?
Is this even safe for my family—what’s in the air, what’s in the dust, what are we breathing while all this is going on?

It’s a lot. You’re not dramatic or “picky” for thinking about those things. You’re a mom. That’s literally the job.
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This is exactly why I built Simply Home the way I did.

Renovating isn’t just about the “after” photos

Most renovation stories focus on the pretty “after.” The reveal, the tile, the sconce, the vanity.

But if you’re a mom (or mom-to-be), you’re thinking about the middle:

Can the kids still nap?
Are we going to be living in dust?
Who is coming and going every day?
Will this project take over our whole life?

And underneath all of that is something simpler and really honest: you just want your home to feel like you.

For most of the moms I talk to, the real goal is not a “perfect” house. It’s a home that actually works for your family and your lifestyle and feels good to be in:

A bathroom where the morning routine doesn’t feel like a traffic jam.
A kitchen that can handle snacks, homework, and dinner all at once.
A living space that doesn’t make you cringe every time you see the tile or paint, but actually matches your style and calms your nervous system a little.

That’s the lens I use for every project we take on.

Step one: you deserve to know what you’re getting into

One of the biggest reasons moms stay stuck in “dreaming” mode is money uncertainty. You don’t want to rip your house apart and then find out what it really costs.
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At Simply Home, we start with a preliminary estimate range. It’s not a wild guess; it’s a realistic ballpark based on your space and goals so you can answer the basic question:

“Is this even in the realm of possible for us right now?”

If it is, we move into a deep planning and development phase. That’s where we:

Get into the details of layout, scope, and selections
Coordinate with any designers/architects
Sort through the “must-haves” vs. “nice-to-haves”

From there, we put together a clear scope and a final estimate, not just a fuzzy number you’ll only see after demo.

Because we front-load so much of that work, we typically carry just a 5% contingency. That’s our way of saying:

“We’ve actually thought this through. We’re not hiding behind a giant cushion because we didn’t plan.”

Is a remodel still an investment? 100%. But you shouldn’t feel like you’re jumping off a cliff without seeing what’s below.

Curious what’s possible for your space? Visit our Wellness Focused page to see how we help Austin families plan their remodel with clarity and confidence.

Wellness isn’t a buzzword. It’s the air your kids are breathing.

If you’re pregnant, have little ones, or anyone in the home with allergies or asthma, you’re not just worried about paint colors.

You’re thinking:

What’s in the dust?
What are we breathing while they’re cutting, sanding, spraying?
Can we even live here while this is happening?

Those are fair questions.

When we say wellness-focused, we’re talking about very practical things:

How we control dust and debris
How we think about air quality and ventilation
How we protect your floors, furniture, and kid zones
How we handle daily cleanup so it doesn’t feel like a construction war zone

We’ve had clients tell us they would “eat off the floor” during construction because the jobsites were that clean. I’m not saying you should eat off the floor—but I am saying you deserve a team that treats your home like a home, not just a jobsite.

Talk to a Wellness-Focused Remodel Expert

The mental load: you shouldn’t have to run the project, too

Here’s the part no one really talks about: the mental load of a remodel.
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If you’re the one everybody looks to for answers—What tile did we pick? When are they coming? Who do I call about this?—it quickly becomes one more full-time job you didn’t sign up for.

That’s why our process is built around proactive communication:

Daily updates so you know what happened, what’s next, and what (if anything) we need from you
Weekly meetings where we walk through progress, decisions, and any upcoming milestones
A dedicated project manager and construction manager on your job so there is always someone whose job is to stay on top of the details

You shouldn’t be chasing your contractor for answers. You should feel like someone is thinking three steps ahead on your behalf.

So… how do you know it will all turn out okay?

There are no truly bump-free renovations. Anyone who promises that isn’t being straight with you.
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Unexpected things come up behind walls. Materials get delayed. Kids get sick. Life happens.
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The real question is:

“Who do I want in my corner when those bumps happen?”

I always say a good contractor is like shocks on a car:

The speed bumps are still there.
You still have to drive over them.
But with the right shocks, you don’t feel every jolt in your teeth.

That’s what we’re trying to be for the moms and families we work with—a buffer between your life and the chaos of construction.

If you’re an Austin mama staring at “that one room”…

If you’re looking around your home, dreaming about updating that bathroom, kitchen, or space that just isn’t you—the one that doesn’t function well and doesn’t make you feel how you want to feel in your own home—but you’re stuck in the “what ifs,” I see you.

You don’t have to figure it out alone. You don’t have to know every step before you start.
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Our job at Simply Home is to:

Help you understand what you’re saying yes to
Plan the details so you’re not carrying all the decisions in your head
Protect your home, your routines, and your air as much as possible during construction
Get you to the other side with a space that actually works for your family and your lifestyle—and finally feels like you

That’s what we’re trying to be for the moms and families we work with—a buffer between your life and the chaos of construction.

If you’re curious what a wellness-focused renovation could look like for your home, you can reach out for a complimentary consultation. No pressure, no hard sell—just a real conversation about your space, your family, and what’s possible.

Talk to a Wellness-Focused Remodel Expert Call Simply Home

If you’re collecting bids for a kitchen, bathroom, or full-home remodel, you’ll probably see numbers that vary more than you expected. That doesn’t automatically mean someone is “overpriced” or someone else is a “deal.”

Most of the time, bid differences come down to one thing: you’re not comparing the same scope.

This guide gives you a clean way to compare bids—so you can make a confident decision and reduce the chance of budget surprises later.

Quick note: We’re a premium, process-driven remodeling team. Our goal here isn’t to “sell you” on a number—it’s to help you compare bids honestly and understand what’s included (and what isn’t).'

The big idea: compare scope completeness, not just the bottom line

A remodel bid is only as good as:

the detail behind it,
the assumptions it makes, and
the plan for unknowns.

A lower number often comes from missing scope, low allowances, or thin planning—and those gaps frequently show up later as change orders, delays, or rushed decisions.

The 5 things you must align before comparing bids

1) Are you comparing the same drawings/specs?

If one contractor is bidding from detailed plans and another is bidding from a short conversation and a few photos, those bids will not match.

Ask: “Are you bidding from the same drawings, selections, and scope notes?”

2) Are allowances listed clearly (and realistic)?

Allowances can hide huge differences. Two bids can look close, but one has low allowances that force upgrades later.

Ask:

“What’s included as an allowance?”
“Are these allowances realistic for the finish level we want?”

3) Are exclusions and assumptions spelled out?

The fastest way a “great price” becomes a bad experience is when exclusions show up mid-project.

Ask: “What’s excluded that I might assume is included?”

4) What’s the change-order policy?

Even excellent remodels have change orders sometimes. The key is whether the process is disciplined and transparent.

Ask:

“How are change orders approved?”
“What documentation do we receive?”
“What’s the typical turnaround time?”

5) What’s the plan for unknowns (contingency)?

Unknown conditions happen—especially in older homes and in projects with behind-the-walls work.

Many homeowners plan a contingency buffer (often 5–10%, sometimes higher for higher-unknown remodels). Your goal isn’t to “avoid contingency.” Your goal is to compare how each contractor accounts for risk.

Apples-to-apples bid comparison table

Use this table for each contractor. If they can’t answer these clearly, that’s information too.

Category	What to Look For	Questions to Ask
Scope detail	Line-by-line scope or clear phases (demo → finishes)	“Can you walk me through what’s included step-by-step?”
Structural work	Any wall removal, beams, reframing, floor leveling	“If we open walls, what assumptions are you making?”
Plumbing	Relocation of sink, gas, dishwasher, drains	“What plumbing moves are included vs excluded?”
Electrical	Lighting plan, circuits, outlets, panel upgrades	“Does this include new circuits/lighting design changes?”
Allowances	Cabinets, fixtures, tile, counters, hardware, lighting	“What happens if selections exceed allowances?”
Permits	Who pulls permits, and what’s included	“Are permit fees included? Who manages inspections?”
Timeline	Realistic schedule + decision deadlines	“What’s the expected duration and what could extend it?”
Site protection	Dust control, floor protection, daily cleanup	“How do you protect the rest of the home?”
Project management	Who is your day-to-day contact	“Who is on site, how often, and how do we communicate?”
Warranty/quality	Documented warranty and QC process	“What’s covered after completion?”
Change orders	Clear written policy	“How do you price and approve changes?”
Contingency	How risk/unknowns are handled	“What buffer should we plan for and why?”

Start a Project

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The 3 scope items that most commonly change the budget

If you want the fastest way to understand why bids differ, look here first:

1) Structural work

Removing walls, changing openings, leveling floors, and addressing hidden conditions can add meaningful time and cost.

2) Relocating plumbing

Moving sinks, dishwashers, gas lines, or drains is a major scope driver.

3) Relocating electrical

Lighting plans, circuits, outlet changes, panel upgrades, and code updates add complexity quickly.

Tip: If one bid assumes “minimal changes” in these categories and another includes more realistic scope, the second bid may be the more accurate “all-in” cost.

The “contingency trap” (and how to compare bids fairly)

One reason bids aren’t apples-to-apples is how each contractor handles uncertainty.

Many homeowners plan a contingency buffer (often 5–10%, sometimes higher for older homes or higher-unknown remodels). If a bid is light on scope detail, heavy on exclusions, or based on early-stage assumptions, you may need to add a larger buffer to understand likely total cost.

How Simply Home approaches this (for context):Our clients typically plan for ~5% contingency for unforeseen conditions because our estimates are built line by line and we work to define full scope up front—especially around structural work, plumbing relocation, and electrical relocation. We’ve found that when scope is defined thoroughly, fewer items are “missed,” and the process runs with fewer surprises. Learn more about kitchen remodel costs.

How to apply this when comparing bids:If another bid looks significantly lower, ask whether it includes the same scope and risk planning. If it doesn’t, you may be comparing a partial scope number to a full-scope plan.

A simple checklist: what to ask before you choose a contractor

Copy/paste these questions into an email and send them to each bidder:

Can you confirm what is included line by line (demo, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, cabinetry, finishes)?
What structural assumptions are you making (walls, framing, leveling, unknowns)?
What plumbing moves are included? What’s excluded?
What electrical work is included (lighting, circuits, outlets, panel)?
Please list all allowances (cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures, lighting, hardware) and the assumed price level.
What is excluded that homeowners often assume is included?
Who pulls permits and manages inspections? Are permit fees included?
What is your projected timeline, and what decisions do you need by when to stay on schedule?
Who is my day-to-day contact during construction? How often do we communicate?
How do change orders work (approval, pricing, turnaround time)?
What contingency (if any) should we plan for, and why?
What warranty and quality control process do you provide?

How to choose (even when prices differ)

If you’re deciding between bids, ask yourself:

Which proposal is most complete and transparent?
Which team has the clearest plan for schedule + communication?
Which bid has realistic allowances and a clean change-order process?
Which contractor is helping you reduce risk—not just reduce the number?

In premium remodeling, the goal isn’t the lowest starting number. The goal is a predictable experience and a predictable final cost.

Plan your remodel with clarity.

‍If you’re comparing bids for a kitchen, bathroom, or full-home remodel in Austin/Westlake, we offer complimentary phone consultations to help you understand scope, risk, and what’s truly included.

Start a Project Call Simply Home

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FAQs

Why are remodeling bids so different?

Usually because the scope, allowances, exclusions, or assumptions are different—not because one contractor is simply “more expensive.”

What is an allowance in a remodel bid?

An allowance is a placeholder budget for a selection (like tile, lighting, cabinetry, fixtures). If your final selections exceed the allowance, you typically pay the difference.

How much contingency should I plan for?

It depends on how defined the scope is and how many unknowns exist. Many homeowners plan a buffer (often 5–10%), and higher-unknown remodels may warrant more.

Is the lowest bid always a red flag?

Not always—but it should trigger questions. Make sure the lower bid includes the full scope, realistic allowances, and a clear change-order process.

Can I get help comparing bids?

Yes. In a complimentary phone consultation, we can help you identify scope gaps, allowance issues, and timeline assumptions so you can make a confident decision.