Contingency
Contingency is a visible, named reserve for defined unknowns: concealed conditions, deck repairs discovered after tear-off, allowanced selections that can run high. It is not padding. Padding hides in inflated line items; contingency stands in the open with a scope attached.
Named contingency protects both sides. The client sees what the reserve is for and what happens if it goes unused; the contractor stops eating surprises out of margin.
How big should a renovation contingency be?
Size it to the specific unknowns, not a ritual percentage. Older homes with concealed conditions justify more; a well-documented scope with few unknowns justifies less. The discipline is naming what the contingency covers, so it can be sized honestly and released visibly when the risk passes.
Price your next job from the same cost data these figures come from, adjusted for where the job is. You set your markup and approve every line before you bid.
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