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Comparison · Free

Contractor Quote Comparison

Compare two to four contractor bids side by side — price, terms, and what the low bid is probably missing.

The job

Pick the job all three quotes are for. Benchmarks adjust for your metro.

Bid 1
$
Terms checklist for Contractor A

Scope, schedule and changes

Credentials and warranty

Payment and protection

Bid 2
$
Terms checklist for Contractor B

Scope, schedule and changes

Credentials and warranty

Payment and protection

Bid 3
$
Terms checklist for Contractor C

Scope, schedule and changes

Credentials and warranty

Payment and protection

Local benchmark in Atlanta

$3,473

Expected range $1,786–$8,930 for upgrade the service panel to 200 a.
Bid spread21.4% between lowest and highest
$900
RecommendedBest combined price and terms score
Contractor A
Side-by-side price comparison
BidPricevs typicalPrice positionTerms scoreCombined
Contractor A$4,200+20.9%Within range100 / 10087 / 100
Contractor B$5,100+46.8%Within range61 / 10048 / 100
Contractor C$4,800+38.2%Within range100 / 10077 / 100
Terms gap — what the lowest bid is probably missing
TermContractor AContractor BContractor C
Explicit list of exclusions✓—✓
Written change-order procedure✓—✓
Parts or manufacturer warranty term stated✓—✓
Proof of workers' compensation✓—✓
Progress payments tied to milestones✓—✓
Final payment due after inspection✓—✓
Lien waiver provision✓—✓

Verify every contractor independently

This tool compares paperwork and price against benchmarks. Look up each license on your state board site and have insurance certificates sent by the agent, not the contractor.

What this assumes

  • Benchmarks reflect typical U.S. residential pricing for standard access and materials.
  • Terms scoring uses common consumer-protection practice, not the law of any specific state.
  • You enter what each quote actually contains — the tool does not read PDFs.

Important

Price and paperwork are only part of the decision. Verify each contractor's license on your state board site and confirm insurance certificates directly from the agent.

Understanding the result

Normalize scope before you compare price

A $6,500 HVAC quote that overlays existing equipment is not cheaper than an $8,000 quote that includes tear-off, disposal, permit, and a 10-year labor warranty. List what each bid includes — materials, permits, disposal, warranty — before treating the lowest number as the winner.

The spread between bids tells a story

When three bids cluster within 15% and one sits 30% below, the low bid usually excluded something the others included. When all four bids scatter across a 40% range, you may be comparing different scopes, different equipment tiers, or contractors at different experience levels.

Terms score matters as much as dollars

A complete quote names materials, states who pulls the permit, lists exclusions, defines change orders, prints the license number, and ties payments to milestones. A bid that scores 45 out of 100 on terms is a negotiation document, not a contract ready to sign.

The best value is rarely the cheapest

Weight price at 40% and terms at 60% in this tool because residential disputes start with missing scope and bad payment terms, not with a 5% price difference. A mid-priced bid with complete terms usually beats a low bid that will generate change orders.

Common questions

How do I compare three contractor bids?
Line up scope first: same materials, same inclusions, same warranty. Then compare price. Use a checklist for permit responsibility, exclusions, deposit terms, and insurance. A bid 30% below the others usually left something out.
Should I always pick the lowest bid?
No. The lowest residential bid is frequently the one missing permits, insurance, disposal, or scope that becomes a change order. Pick the bid with complete terms inside a reasonable price range, then verify the license.
How much spread is normal between contractor quotes?
For identical written scope, bids usually cluster within 15 to 25%. A spread above 30% means you are likely comparing different scopes, equipment tiers, or one bid that excluded major items.
What if all my bids are above the typical range?
Ask each contractor what drives the premium — difficult access, code upgrades, premium materials, or current backlog. If none can explain it specifically, get a fourth quote. High prices with vague scope are a red flag.
How many quotes should I get?
Three is standard for any job above a few hundred dollars. Two leaves you without a benchmark; more than four rarely changes the answer and delays the work.

You may also need

The next decision usually follows directly from this one.

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