How to Compare Contractor Quotes (Without Getting Fooled by the Total)

Three quotes for the same project can be thousands of dollars apart. Sometimes one contractor is simply more expensive. More often, the quotes describe three different jobs. Here is a simple way to compare them fairly.

1. Make sure they quote the same job

Check the size (square feet, tons, number of windows), the product or material, and the installation method. If one quote is for a smaller system or a cheaper material, its lower price tells you nothing. The easiest fix is to send every contractor the same written scope before they quote — our free quote request template does this for you.

2. Line up what each quote includes

List the work every complete quote should mention — removal of old materials, permits, disposal, cleanup, warranty — and tick off which quote includes each item. A quote that leaves items out isn't cheaper; it's incomplete.

3. Add the cost of anything missing

If the low quote doesn't include a permit or disposal, ask what those would cost and add them. Our report does a rough version of this automatically, using typical add-on costs for your region.

4. Compare the terms, not just the price

• Deposit: a modest deposit with later payments tied to finished stages protects you.
• Warranty: the contractor's workmanship warranty is separate from the manufacturer's warranty.
• Schedule: a start date and expected length of the job.
• Validity: how long the price holds.

5. Ask, in writing

Turn every gap into a question and send it by email, so the answers are on record. When you're ready, compare your quotes side by side and we'll draft the questions and the email for you.