How to compare
contractor quotes.

1. Give each contractor the same project description

List the rooms, work you want done, materials you have selected and anything you plan to supply. Share the same information with each contractor. A quote for replacing tile can cover a very different job from a quote that also includes demolition, repairs and surface preparation.

2. Make a list of included work and open questions

Put the estimates side by side. For each item below, note where it appears in each proposal. If the quote is silent, ask the contractor to clarify it in writing.

• Demolition, debris removal and disposal
• Repairs and preparation before new materials are installed
• Product names, sizes, quantities and installation areas
• Related plumbing, electrical, painting and trim work
• Materials or labor supplied by you or another contractor
• Cleanup and what the contractor considers complete

3. Separate allowances from selected materials

If the quote includes a material allowance, ask what it covers and how the final selection affects your price. Does the tile allowance cover just the tile, or also delivery and installation materials? Who pays the difference if you choose something above the allowance?

Write down which selections remain undecided. Two totals are harder to compare when one contractor has priced a specific product and another has left an allowance.

4. Ask what happens when the work changes

Discuss how the contractor will document a change, explain its price and obtain your approval. Ask how unexpected repair work after demolition will be handled. Also review the proposed start date, completion expectations and the work tied to each payment.

A bathroom quote comparison

Imagine one proposal says “replace shower” and another separately lists demolition, preparation, waterproofing, tile, fixtures and glass. That does not establish which price is better. It gives you a list of questions for the first contractor.

Ask whether those items are included, excluded or waiting on another price. Once both contractors have clarified the scope, you have a better basis for comparing the totals.

What a quote review can help you understand

A review can point out unclear scope, exclusions and assumptions in the documents you provide. Photos and estimates cannot establish every condition inside a wall or floor. Russell helps you prepare questions for the contractor responsible for the work.

More help choosing a contractor

The Federal Trade Commission recommends getting written estimates that describe the work, materials, expected completion date and price. Its consumer guide also covers checking references and choosing a contractor.