Quote Advice
How to Compare Contractor Estimates Before You Choose
Why are two contractor quotes so different? Check whether they cover the same work before you compare the totals. Use a common project checklist, mark what each bid includes, and ask contractors to price any missing work.
Quick Answer
Compare the same work before comparing totals. Put each estimate into a table with quantities, materials, labor, permits, cleanup, exclusions, allowances, and warranties. Ask each contractor to price missing work. A lower total is not a saving when it omits work you need.
How Do I Get Quotes for the Same Scope of Work?
Give each contractor the same description of the job. Zollera's free scope builder helps you prepare a checklist of work and questions from your project details. You need a free account to generate it. Review the checklist with each contractor and ask them to mark items as included, excluded, or needing clarification.
If you already have estimates, use the checklist to identify differences. Ask each contractor to confirm applicable tasks and revise their written estimate where needed. Keep changes visible; a missing item does not mean the price includes it.
What Should I Compare in Each Contractor Estimate?
| Compare | Estimate A | Estimate B |
|---|---|---|
| Task and measured quantity | Write the task and units | Confirm the same task and units |
| Equipment or materials | Write the model or grade | Check whether it matches |
| Permits, removal, and cleanup | Mark included, excluded, or unclear | Use the same three labels |
| Allowances and contingencies | List the amount and trigger | Compare the limit and trigger |
| Warranty and payment terms | Write the terms | List differences separately |
| Total for matched work | Use the contractor's updated price | Do not fill gaps with guessed prices |
Is the Cheapest Contractor Quote Always the Best Choice?
Illustrative Example — Not Zollera Quote Data
These figures are invented for arithmetic only. Estimate A is $8,000 but excludes removal and permits. The contractor prices those tasks at $1,500 in a written revision. Estimate B is $9,000 with those tasks included. A becomes $9,500 for matched work, which is $500 more than B. Check materials, quantities, warranties, and any other differences before deciding.
Can I Compare Estimates by Price per Square Foot?
For measured work, divide the applicable price by the quantity in the same units. Keep the scope consistent. A price per roof square cannot resolve differences in decking, removal, or materials. Do not compare a bundled project total with one task's unit price.
What Should I Ask When Two Bids Differ?
- 1."Can you revise this estimate to cover the same work and quantities as my comparison?"
- 2."Which equipment, material grade, or installation steps explain this price difference?"
- 3."Please price the excluded work separately and show the revised total."
- 4."What could change this price, and how would I approve that change?"
Why Can Contractor Estimates Differ So Much?
The FTC advises homeowners to ask about substantial differences among written estimates instead of automatically selecting the lowest bid.Source: FTC: choosing a contractor and checking written estimates
A higher offer can include more work or different materials. A lower offer can reflect a different approach or omitted tasks. Ask for the explanation first. Price alone does not establish poor work, overcharging, or the best choice.
What If One Estimate Has an Allowance or Missing Price?
Keep an allowance separate from a fixed price. Ask what it covers, which choices could exceed it, and how extra costs or credits are calculated. If work is excluded without a price, mark it as unpriced. Ask for a written amount before comparing complete totals.
How Do I Request a Quote I Can Compare?
"Please review this project checklist and confirm which tasks apply. In your written estimate, list the work, quantities, materials, exclusions, allowances, permits, cleanup, warranty, and payment terms. Please identify any scope changes so I can compare bids for the same job."
Have a Written Estimate?
Upload a PDF or clear photo to Zollera for a free line-item review and questions to ask. A local price comparison appears when enough similar, approved quotes exist. National ranges and illustrative examples are not local benchmarks.
Sources and method
Published national ranges are separate from Zollera local quote data. Check each source date and compare the work included.
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