[TrudyM]

Not in TV but general situation I have found. If you are planning something that is a little different from what the contractor has built in the past they have a tendency to slap on a cushion to cover their ass. I get a copy of RS Means exterior Home impovement costs or RS Means Interior home improvement costs from the library or Amazon.com. It prices out discriptions of different projects materials lists etc. It gives you a ball park number (there are regional multipliers in a chart in the back of the books) I find if the contractor is way higher than these books which are put out by the company that prints the big estimator books and software that contractors use, that they can be negotiated down by referencing the book. If you want real high end materials ie special windows doors etc or just want to choose the style yourself have them back out that material cost and price them out yourself. I always say I will provide the windows and doors as I want better than contractor grade and don't want them marking them up an additional 25% over cost.

Just my experience