How to compare two contractor quotes
Short answer
Compare eleven things in the same order on both quotes — the totals come last, once you know the two quotes describe the same job.
This is the practical version: you have two quotes, a pen, and twenty minutes. The goal isn't to decide which contractor you like. It's to find out whether the two quotes are describing the same job — because until they are, comparing the totals is comparing nothing.
Work down these eleven rows in order, filling in both columns as you go. Leave the totals for the end. By the time you get there, the answer is usually obvious.
The eleven rows
- 1
Total price — write it down and set it aside
Note both numbers, then deliberately stop thinking about them. Also note whether tax is included, and whether the number is fixed or an estimate. A fixed price and an estimate are not comparable figures.
- 2
Scope — what physically happens
List the work each quote describes, in plain words. Mark anything that appears on one list and not the other. This row alone explains most gaps.
- 3
Materials and equipment — make, model, quantity
Write the specifics: model numbers, sizes, product lines, square footage, number of fixtures. If one quote only names a category, that's your first question, not a comparison.
- 4
Labour — basis, crew and hours
Flat rate, hourly, or lump sum? How many people, how many days? Is a call-out or travel charge in or out?
- 5
Exclusions — read the small print on both
Copy them out. Permits, disposal, code upgrades, restoration, access work. An unlisted exclusion is not an absent one.
- 6
Allowances — compare the placeholder amounts
For anything you haven't chosen yet, write down the budgeted amount in each quote. Different allowances make different totals without either contractor pricing differently.
- 7
Additional charges — the named extras
Permit fees, disposal, delivery, lift or scaffolding rental, after-hours rates, fuel or trip charges, payment-processing fees.
- 8
Warranty — labour and parts, separately
Length of each, in writing, plus what voids it. A longer labour warranty is a real reason for a higher price.
- 9
Timeline — start, duration, and what delays it
Start date, working days, and whether materials are already available. Note whether the contractor commits to the dates or estimates them.
- 10
Payment terms — deposit and schedule
Deposit amount, whether payments follow milestones or dates, and whether anything is held back until final inspection or walkthrough.
- 11
Change orders — the process, in writing
Are changes priced and approved before the work happens? At what labour rate? Is there a small-change threshold?
Now go back to the totals
With the ten other rows filled in, one of three things is true — and each has a different next step.
The rows are basically identical and the totals differ
This is the only situation where you have a genuine price difference. Now the cheaper quote is probably the better buy, and now it's reasonable to ask the more expensive contractor whether there's anything in their price you don't need.
The rows differ and the cheaper quote covers less
Price out the missing pieces before deciding. Very often the cheaper quote plus the excluded permit, disposal and drywall repair lands above the higher quote — and now you're paying two people to coordinate one job.
The rows differ and you can't tell why
You're not ready to choose. Go back with specific questions rather than a general "can you sharpen your pencil?" — the specific version gets you information, the general one gets you a smaller number on the same unclear work.
The email that levels two quotes
Send this to both contractors
Same message to both. Identical questions produce comparable answers.
- 1.“Thanks for the quote — I'm comparing two and want to make sure I'm comparing fairly.”
- 2.“Could you confirm whether permits, inspection and disposal are included in your price?”
- 3.“Which make and model, or which product line, is included?”
- 4.“Is the price fixed, or an estimate that could change once work starts?”
- 5.“What's the labour warranty, separate from the manufacturer's parts warranty?”
- 6.“If you find something unexpected, how is the extra work priced and approved?”
The replies are often more useful than the quotes. A contractor who answers all six clearly is telling you something about how the job itself will go.
The one thing to remember
Compare the promises first, the prices last.
Two quotes only become comparable once every row except the total matches. Getting them to match is the actual work of comparing quotes — and it's where the money is.
Want a second set of eyes on it?
Upload a photo or PDF of the bill or quote, or paste the text. You'll get a plain-English assessment of whether the price looks normal, what stands out, and what to ask next.
Common questions
What if one contractor won't give a written breakdown?
That's information. A contractor doesn't have to reveal their margins, but any professional can tell you what's included, what's excluded, and what's being installed. Unwillingness to put that in writing is worth weighing alongside the price.
Is a longer warranty worth paying more for?
It depends on how long you'll own the place and what the failure would cost you. On a buried, structural or hard-to-access job — roofing, re-piping, in-slab work — labour warranty matters a lot, because the labour to redo it is the expensive part.
Do I have to pick one of the two?
No. If both quotes come back vague after you've asked clear questions, a third quote from someone who answers properly is usually a better use of your money than choosing between two unknowns.
Keep reading
Why do two contractor quotes differ so much?
A $5,000 and an $8,000 quote are usually two different jobs. Here's how to spot the difference.
Is my contractor quote fair?
The nine things to read on a quote before you sign, and the question to ask about each one.
How to negotiate a contractor quote
The questions that surface real savings — and why "can you do better?" is the weakest one.
Is this HVAC quote normal?
Tonnage, SEER2, ductwork, line sets — why two AC bids are almost never comparable.
Is this water heater quote normal?
Unit vs installation, tank vs tankless, venting and code upgrades.
Is this electrical quote normal?
Flat rate vs hourly, panel upgrades, wire runs, permits and inspection.
Last reviewed September 2026. This article explains how prices and bills are structured in general terms, and deliberately avoids quoting dollar figures, because what's reasonable depends on your location, scope and market. Educational information only — not professional, legal or financial advice. See our disclaimer and browse the full cost guide library.