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Contractor Quote Analyzer

Break down a contractor's quote and see whether the price and the terms are reasonable.

Price check

Compare the number on the quote against what this job typically costs where you live.

$
Scope, schedule and changes
Credentials and warranty
Payment and protection

Combined verdict

Usable quote with gaps

The price is inside the local range, but the quote scores 61 out of 100. Close the 7 gaps below before you sign rather than after.
Price against the local rangeExpected $1,786–$8,930 in Atlanta
Within range
Terms completeness7 of 15 items missing
61 / 100
Difference from typicalTypical for this job in Atlanta is $3,473
+20.9%
Expected pricing for this job in Atlanta
Point in the rangeAmountYour quote against it
Low end$1,786135.2% above
Typical$3,47320.9% above
High end$8,93053.0% below
Quoted$4,200Within range
Ask this contractor these 7 questions
  1. 1

    What is specifically excluded — disposal, drywall repair, landscape restoration, code upgrades triggered by the work?

    Missing from the quote: Explicit list of exclusions

  2. 2

    How are change orders priced, and will you confirm that no additional work proceeds without my written approval?

    Missing from the quote: Written change-order procedure

  3. 3

    What is the parts warranty, who registers the equipment, and is labor covered during the first year of it?

    Missing from the quote: Parts or manufacturer warranty term stated

  4. 4

    Do you carry workers' compensation on everyone who will be on my property, including any subcontractors?

    Missing from the quote: Proof of workers' compensation

  5. 5

    Can we tie each payment to a completed, inspectable milestone rather than to a date on the calendar?

    Missing from the quote: Progress payments tied to milestones

  6. 6

    Can final payment be due after the inspection passes and the punch list is signed off, rather than at last day on site?

    Missing from the quote: Final payment due after inspection

  7. 7

    Will you provide conditional lien waivers from your subcontractors and suppliers with each progress payment?

    Missing from the quote: Lien waiver provision

The price sits inside the expected range

Price is now the least interesting thing about this quote. Judge it on the terms, the scope and the license verification instead.

This tool checks the paperwork, not the contractor

Nothing here tells you whether this company does good work. Look the license number up on your state board’s own website, confirm it is active and in the same legal name that appears on the contract, and have the insurance certificate sent to you by the agent rather than by the contractor.

What this assumes

  • Benchmarks reflect typical U.S. residential pricing for standard access and materials.
  • Terms review applies common consumer-protection practice, not the law of any specific state.
  • A quote outside the typical range is a prompt to ask questions, not evidence of wrongdoing.

Important

This tool does not evaluate the contractor. Always verify license status with your state board and confirm active liability and workers' compensation coverage independently.

Understanding the result

The cheapest bid is a signal, not a bargain

A bid far below the others usually means something is missing — scope, permits, insurance, or a licensed crew. Ask what the low bidder excluded that the others included. Sometimes the answer is efficiency; more often it is a change order waiting to happen.

Payment terms matter as much as price

A reasonable residential deposit is 10 to 30%, with progress payments tied to milestones and a final payment after inspection. Several states cap deposits by statute. A demand for full payment up front is the single clearest warning sign in residential contracting.

What a complete quote contains

Scope in specific terms, materials by brand and model, who pulls the permit, a schedule, an explicit exclusions list, change order procedure, warranty terms on labor and parts, license number, and proof of insurance. Anything missing is a question to ask before you sign.

Common questions

How many quotes should I get?
Three is the standard guidance for any job above a few hundred dollars. Fewer leaves you without a benchmark; more delays the work and rarely changes the answer.
Is a 50% deposit normal?
For most residential service work, no. Ten to thirty percent is typical, and several states cap deposits. Large custom orders — cabinetry, windows, specialty equipment — are a legitimate exception.

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The next decision usually follows directly from this one.

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