Is my quote fair?
Enter the quote a contractor gave you and see where it sits in our published, source-cited cost range for that job — adjusted to your metro when we cover it. If it's high, you'll see the specific factors that can legitimately explain it.
Enter the quote you were given and we'll show where it sits in our published range.
How to judge any contractor quote
- 1. Compare against a published range first.Every project we cover has a low–typical–high band compiled from multiple public sources — that's your anchor before any negotiation.
- 2. Demand an itemized breakdown. Equipment, labor, permits, disposal, warranty. A single-number quote hides where the money goes; itemized quotes are comparable.
- 3. Get 2–3 quotes with identical scope. Spreads of 20%+ between reputable contractors are normal — the comparison only works when each is bidding the same job.
- 4. Treat the extremes with equal suspicion. Far above the range needs a reason you can point at; far below often means scope gaps that come back as change orders.
Every project's full range, cost drivers, and sources: browse the cost guides.
These figures are planning estimates compiled from public cost data on the dates shown — not quotes, bids, or guarantees. Real prices vary widely with your home, location, materials, permits, and contractor. Always get itemized written quotes from licensed local pros before budgeting or hiring.
Quote check — FAQ
- What does the verdict actually mean?
- It tells you where your quote sits relative to our published range for that project — the range we compile from multiple public cost sources and re-verify on a schedule (every figure is cited on the project's cost guide). It is a planning comparison, not an appraisal of your specific job.
- My quote is above the range. Am I being overcharged?
- Not necessarily. Legitimate reasons push quotes above a typical range: bigger or harder-to-access homes, premium equipment tiers, code upgrades and permits, emergency timing, or regional labor spikes. The checker lists the specific cost drivers for your project. The universal advice: get an itemized breakdown and compare 2–3 quotes with identical scope.
- My quote is below the range. Should I take it?
- Confirm the scope first — a low bid sometimes omits permits, haul-away, or uses a lower equipment tier, and can grow change orders later. Verify licensing and insurance, then compare it line-by-line with at least one other quote.
- How is the metro adjustment calculated?
- Each metro we cover has a sourced cost factor versus the national average (for example, a higher-cost coastal metro runs above it). We apply that disclosed multiplier to the national range — the method and sources are on our methodology page. It's a transparent adjustment, not a fabricated local survey.