Project Brain on a real project

An actual basement remodel with three real contractor bids — analyzed, scored, and compared. Everything below is real Project Brain output.

Plans & project photos

Premium

Finish level

3

Bids analyzed

$33,500 – $42,000

Bid range

What the project covers

• Experience with Basement Finish / Basement Remodel: Quote is a full basement finishing project at 1234 Springview Dr., Saratoga Springs, UT covering all major basement finish trades.
• Insulation: Insulation of framed perimeter and partition walls throughout the ba: Insulation (context: Insulation listed as a scope item in the basement finish.)
• Drywall: Hang, tape, mud, and finish drywall on all framed walls and ceiling thr: Drywall, tape, texture (context: Drywall installation including taping and texture listed in scope of work.)
• Flooring: LVP installation in family room, wet bar, and common areas: LVP flooring (context: Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring listed as a scope item.)
• Flooring: Carpet installation in bedroom and theater/entertainment room: Carpet (context: Carpet listed as a scope item in the basement finish.)
• Bathroom: Complete bathroom finish on existing rough-in plumbing: Bathroom complete (context: Listed as a scope item: complete bathroom to be built in the basement.)
• Bathroom: Toilet, vanity, and fixtures: Bathroom complete (context: Listed as a scope item: complete bathroom to be built in the basement.)
• Wet Bar: Plumbing connection to rough-in stubs: Wet bar rough-in (context: Wet bar rough-in listed as a scope item; finish work not included.)

Gaps Project Brain flagged across the bids

• Drywall: Fire-rated assembly may be required at mechanical room wall
• Flooring: Tile installation in bathroom
• Bathroom: Exhaust fan
• Wet Bar: Cabinetry and countertop installation
• Wet Bar: Sink and fixtures
• HVAC: Ensure mechanical room remains properly ventilated and code-compliant

Questions to resolve before you sign

• Can you provide current certificates of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation, and confirm whether you are bonded for this project?
• Will you pull all required permits and manage all inspections for this project — including electrical, plumbing, framing, and final occupancy — and is that included in the quoted price?
• Your quote lists 'wet bar rough-in' as a scope item — does this include the full wet bar finish including cabinetry, countertop, sink, and fixtures, or is the finish work excluded?
• Your proposed duration is 8 weeks — does this timeline begin from permit approval or from project start, and how have you accounted for permit processing time in Saratoga Springs?
• Several items are not listed in the quote — including paint, bathroom exhaust fan, tile flooring in the bathroom, TV wall blocking, egress window evaluation for Bedroom 4, and storage room work — are these included in the scope or explicitly excluded?
• Can you provide a current certificate of general liability insurance and workers' compensation, and confirm the current active status of your Utah DOPL license #xxxxxxxxxx?