Coordinate what will be hidden before it disappears

Layout is a systems decision

Moving a sink can change supply and drain routes. Moving a range can change fuel, circuit, hood, and duct requirements. An island can affect power, clearances, flooring, support, and ventilation. Price the downstream effects, not only the visible cabinet move.

Plumbing scope should name every connection

List sink, faucet, dishwasher, refrigerator water, disposer, filtration, gas, shutoffs, drains, vents, and any piping replacement. State what is reused, moved, capped, or new. Ask how concealed conditions are documented before corrective work proceeds.

Electrical scope should follow the final appliance list

Supply exact appliance specifications when available. Record new or reused circuits, receptacles, lighting zones, switches, controls, under-cabinet lighting, island power, panel assumptions, testing, labeling, and finish repairs. “Electrical as needed” is not a comparable line item.

Ventilation needs a complete route

Define hood type, airflow basis, duct size, route, exterior termination, makeup-air question where relevant, cabinet coordination, roof or wall work, weather sealing, controls, and final testing. A decorative hood without an agreed duct path is not a ventilation plan.

Structural changes need an early decision

Do not assume a wall is non-load-bearing from appearance alone. Openings, posts, beams, ceiling changes, or concentrated island loads can require professional review and a building permit. Mark the question early so cabinet drawings and budgets do not depend on an unsupported assumption.

Schedule inspection access

Where permits apply, rough work may need inspection before insulation, drywall, cabinets, or finishes cover it. The proposal should identify who schedules each inspection, who is present, what must remain open, and what happens if correction is required.

A simple review sheet for this page

Start with the room as it is now. Draw each wall. Mark each door and window. Add the sink, range, fridge, and hood. Note what will stay. Note what will move. Note what may need a check. Keep this sheet with the bids.

Use the same facts for each bid. Ask for clear words. Ask who will do each task. Ask what is left out. If an item is not known, mark it as open. Do not let a guess look like a fixed fact. A short, clear note can stop a large mix-up later.

Read each bid from start to end. Check the work, not just the sum. A low sum may leave out a key task. A high sum may use a better item or hold more risk. Make the work match first. Then compare the price, pay plan, and time plan.

Facts to put on the room sheet

• Wall lengths and the full ceiling height.
• Door, window, and walk-through widths.
• The current sink and drain point.
• The current range, fuel, and power type.
• The fridge size and door swing.
• The hood type and the path for air.
• The panel location and known spare space.
• The lights, switches, and task zones.
• The floor type and each room edge.
• The cabinet run, tall units, and island size.
• The counter shape, sink cutout, and edge.
• The tile or wall finish start and stop points.
• Items that the owner plans to buy.
• Items that must be saved and put back.
• Known leaks, cracks, stains, or soft spots.
• Access limits for crews and large goods.
• The age of the home, if known.
• The city and ZIP code for the site.

Questions each written bid should answer

• What plan and issue date does this price use?
• What is kept, moved, removed, and made good?
• Who will protect the home before work starts?
• Who will remove waste and clean the work zone?
• Which cabinet build and trim parts are included?
• Which counter cuts, seams, edges, and supports are included?
• Which floor and wall prep tasks are included?
• Which pipes, wires, gas lines, and ducts will change?
• Who will apply for each needed permit?
• Who will book and attend each inspection?
• Which fees are in the sum?
• Which items use an allowance, and what does it cover?
• Which facts are still open or based on a guess?
• How will a change be priced and approved?
• Which pay stage links to which clear result?
• What can move the start or finish date?
• What test, clean-up, and closeout records are included?
• What must the owner do before the first work day?
• Who checks goods for harm when they reach the site?
• Where will cabinets and other large goods be kept?
• Who takes final size checks before each order is placed?
• What wall and floor patch work is part of the bid?
• What care must be used near rooms that stay in use?
• Who keeps the latest plan and sends each new issue?
• What proof marks a task as done for a pay stage?
• Which spare parts, paint, tile, or trim stay with the owner?

Local facts recorded for this route

• Oklahoma does not issue a statewide general-contractor license; regulated trade credentials are administered separately.
• Oklahoma City publishes a residential home-remodel permit route and separates permit review from inspection.
• For some homes dated before 1978, federal lead-safe rules cover paid work that cuts, sands, or breaks older coated surfaces.

Use the 2026 cost method to sort the bid into cost packs. Then use the quote comparison sheet to line up the same work.