Compare contractor estimates with the same scope

Give every bidder the same starting point

Prepare a dated package containing your project brief, available drawings, product selections and any inspection information you have permission to share. Identify which documents are current. If one bidder receives a revised kitchen layout and another sees the old version, their prices cannot be compared fairly.

Ask each bidder to list assumptions and exclusions in writing. A short estimate may be appropriate early in planning, but it needs more definition before it can serve as the basis of a construction decision.

Build the comparison around complete work

Use one row for each work package, such as demolition, cabinets, electrical work, flooring or exterior restoration. For each quote, record the included quantity, product or performance description, labor, allowance and exclusions. Leave missing information marked “unconfirmed” rather than assuming it is included.

• Does demolition include disposal and protection of retained areas?
• Do fixtures include installation, connection and required accessories?
• Who repairs walls, floors or landscaping disturbed by related work?
• Are permit responsibilities and applicable fees identified?
• Who buys, receives, stores and checks owner-selected products?
• What closeout records and operating instructions will be delivered?

Normalize scope without rewriting the contractor’s offer

Suppose one hypothetical bathroom quote includes replacing the shower assembly while another only replaces visible finishes. Adding the missing scope to your comparison may change which offer appears lower. Ask the contractor to price the clarification; do not insert your own guessed trade price and treat it as a bid.

Keep optional alternates separate. A premium countertop or additional room should have an identifiable impact rather than being bundled into only one proposal. Compare allowances against the same realistic selection list, including what installation work accompanies the products.

Compare the delivery plan too

Ask who manages the work, how questions are answered, when selections are required and how changes are documented. Review proposed access arrangements, working areas and the assumptions behind the schedule. An estimated completion date is only useful if you understand what starts the clock and which dependencies remain outside the contractor’s control.

A very brief schedule, generous allowance or omitted restoration work can make a proposal look easier than the actual project. The FTC advises obtaining multiple written estimates and asking about substantial price differences. A comparison should reveal those differences rather than reward the shortest document.

Close the gaps before making the choice

Send one numbered clarification list to each bidder. Save the response with the revised proposal and identify which version would become part of the agreement. Check that verbal promises made during the walkthrough appear in the written scope.

Make the final decision using comparable scope, verified qualifications, communication and contract terms alongside price. If major design decisions remain open, the immediate next step may be more design work instead of selecting a contractor on an incomplete total. This worksheet helps organize review; obtain qualified advice for legal terms you do not understand.