Rehab Scope of Work: Checklist and Contractor Bid Example

A rehab scope of work describes the repairs and improvements you want completed at a property. A useful scope identifies each task, location, quantity, material or finish, and any exclusions or unresolved conditions. Give every contractor the same version before comparing prices.

Start with a room-by-room walkthrough, then organize the work by trade. This keeps observations easy to collect and makes the resulting document easier for contractors to price.

What to include in a rehab scope of work

• Project details: property address, scope version, preparation date, contact person, and target completion window.
• Location: room, floor, exterior elevation, or specific system.
• Action: remove, repair, replace, install, or retain.
• Quantity and unit: square feet, linear feet, or item count, with measurements to verify.
• Material and finish: product selection or a clearly identified allowance when the selection is pending.
• Related work: preparation, demolition, disposal, protection of retained surfaces, and cleanup.
• Responsibilities: who supplies materials, verifies measurements, and resolves open questions.
• Exclusions and unknowns: anything not priced, concealed conditions, or specialist follow-up.
• Photos: label each image so it can be matched to the relevant work item.

A room-by-room walkthrough checklist

1. Exterior: document visible roof, gutter, siding, window, door, drainage, and access concerns.
2. Each room: record walls, ceilings, flooring, trim, doors, windows, and visible fixtures. Separate items to retain from items to replace.
3. Kitchen: identify cabinet and countertop selections, appliances, flooring, fixtures, and proposed layout changes.
4. Bathrooms: record fixtures, finishes, visible damage, and work that needs specialist assessment.
5. Systems: note questions for qualified electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or structural contractors; do not treat a visual walkthrough as a diagnosis.
6. Whole-project items: assign responsibility for protection, debris removal, access, final cleanup, and any required approvals.

Photograph the room first, then the individual repair. Keep a separate unresolved-items list instead of filling gaps with assumptions.

Example: turn “replace flooring” into a priceable line item

Illustrative example, not an actual ScopeFirst customer project:

Main-level living room and hallway: remove and dispose of the existing carpet and pad. Install owner-selected LVP over an appropriately prepared substrate. Preliminary area: 480 sq ft; contractor to verify measurements before ordering. Quote labor, flooring material, transitions, trim work, and disposal separately. Identify product assumptions and waste allowance. Concealed substrate repairs are excluded from the base quote and require a separately documented scope and price before proceeding.

This example specifies the location, task, preliminary quantity, selection, related work, and an unresolved condition. It does not pretend to predict damage under the existing floor. Adapt the details to the actual property and chosen installation system.

Copy this line-item template

• Item number and trade:
• Room or location:
• Existing condition and photo reference:
• Work to complete:
• Quantity and measurement status:
• Material, model, and finish:
• Who supplies materials:
• Preparation, disposal, and cleanup included:
• Exclusions, allowances, and open questions:
• Contractor price and clarification:

Review the scope by trade before sending it

Group the observations into the trades that will perform the work. Check dependencies: a finish task may depend on earlier repairs or inspections. Have the relevant contractors confirm technical requirements and sequencing. A detailed scope is a communication tool; it does not replace qualified assessment.

Compare contractor bids against the same scope

1. Send the same dated scope and supporting photos to each bidder.
2. Ask for line-item pricing and explicit inclusions, exclusions, allowances, and assumptions.
3. Resolve questions in writing and share revisions with all bidders.
4. Compare quantities and selections before comparing the total price.
5. Keep a record of approved changes and the version each contractor priced.

Different prices can still be reasonable because availability, labor costs, overhead, and methods differ. Matching scope helps reveal those differences. See the contractor bid comparison guide.

Common questions

What is the difference between a scope and an estimate?

A scope describes what work is required. An estimate assigns expected costs to that work. Define the work first, then gather pricing. See scope of work versus estimate.

How do I reduce missed scope in estimating?

Use the same walkthrough order, document photos and measurements, check related tasks such as removal and cleanup, and review by trade. Mark unknown conditions for follow-up. No checklist can reveal every concealed problem.

Can ScopeFirst help create the document?

ScopeFirst guides investors through property walkthroughs with prompts and photos, then exports a PDF scope organized by trade. Contractors still provide their own prices. ScopeFirst currently requires an internet connection and is available on iOS and Android.