Contractor Bid Compare

Comparable when: Each bid names the same rooms, surfaces, fixtures, demolition, prep, cleanup, exclusions, and assumptions.

Weak signal: One bid is a lump sum while another lists detailed inclusions, exclusions, or site assumptions.

Comparable when: Allowances, product lines, quantities, finish level, owner-supplied items, and substitution rules are written down.

Weak signal: One contractor assumes builder-grade materials while another assumes premium fixtures, tile, cabinets, paint, or equipment.

Comparable when: Permit decision, inspection responsibility, parking/loading, HOA or building access, protection, dumpster, and disposal are assigned.

Weak signal: Permit, access, cleanup, disposal, elevator booking, or property-manager requirements are handled verbally or left for later.

Comparable when: Start window, expected duration, crew days/hours, lead times, delay handling, and completion or punch-list expectations are written.

Weak signal: The bid says "soon," "about a week," or gives only a verbal schedule without lead-time or delay terms.

Comparable when: Labor warranty, material warranty handling, exclusions, cleanup, punch list, inspection closeout, and callback process are included.

Weak signal: The contractor says they stand behind the work, but warranty duration, exclusions, cleanup, or callbacks are not written.

Comparable when: Deposit, progress payments, final payment trigger, accepted methods, and written change-order approval before extra work are clear.

Weak signal: Most money is due upfront, change orders are verbal, or extra work can be billed after the fact without written approval.

Why it matters: Material allowances can turn a fair-looking bid into an expensive change order if amount, product level, and owner-supplied items are not written.

Ask for: Please show each material allowance amount, assumed product level, owner-supplied item, and who pays if the final selection costs more.

Why it matters: Prep, demolition, patching, substrate repair, or protection work can be excluded while the total still looks complete.

Ask for: Please state what prep, demolition, patching, repair, protection, and site setup are included or excluded.

Why it matters: Permit fees, inspections, hauling, dumpsters, and disposal can shift to the homeowner after the quote is accepted.

Ask for: Please state who handles permit decisions, permit fees, inspections, hauling, dumpster or disposal, and closeout documents.

Why it matters: Parking, elevator booking, HOA or building access, common-area protection, and work-hour limits can change labor time and schedule.

Ask for: Please show any access assumptions, parking or loading needs, elevator or HOA requirements, protection plan, and work-hour limits.

Why it matters: Hidden damage, old wiring, plumbing surprises, rot, moisture, or framing issues can become open-ended extra work without a written trigger.

Ask for: Please define which hidden conditions could change price, how they will be documented, and what written approval is required before extra work starts.

Why it matters: Cleanup, final walkthrough, punch-list timing, warranty documents, and final payment triggers are often left vague until the end.

Ask for: Please confirm cleanup, final walkthrough, punch-list timing, warranty documents, and what must be complete before final payment.

Counts as proof: A license or registration number, issuing authority, trade category, and business name that match the contractor or company bidding the work.

Weak signal: A verbal "we are licensed" answer, a number without the issuing authority, or a license that belongs to an unrelated business.

Counts as proof: A current certificate of insurance naming the insured business, coverage type, policy dates, and any building or property-manager requirements.

Weak signal: A badge on a website, an expired certificate, or a generic statement that insurance exists without coverage dates or business name.

Counts as proof: A written quote or proposal that names the rooms, surfaces, fixtures, materials, allowances, prep/demo, cleanup, exclusions, and assumptions.

Weak signal: A single total with "labor and materials" only, or a text message that does not say what is included or excluded.

Counts as proof: Deposit amount, payment milestones, final payment trigger, accepted methods, and what must be complete before each payment.

Weak signal: "Pay as we go," "most upfront," or a large deposit request without milestones, completion criteria, or refund/cancellation terms.

Counts as proof: A written rule that extra work requires homeowner approval before work starts, with pricing method, documentation, and who can approve it.

Weak signal: Verbal approval, after-the-fact billing, or "we will figure it out onsite" without unit rates or written approval steps.

Counts as proof: Written labor warranty length, material warranty handling, exclusions, callback process, and whether warranty transfers if the home is sold.

Weak signal: "We stand behind our work" without duration, exclusions, response process, or distinction between labor and material warranty.

Counts as proof: A written permit decision, who pulls the permit, who pays fees, inspection responsibility, schedule impact, and final closeout documents.

Weak signal: "No permit needed" without project-specific reasoning, or assuming the homeowner handles permits without saying so in the bid.

Counts as proof: Written start window, expected duration, crew days/hours, access needs, cleanup plan, delay terms, and punch-list or closeout expectations.

Weak signal: "We can start soon" or "about a week" without start window, daily access requirements, delay handling, or completion criteria.