Contractor Quote GuideHomeowner Bid & Scope Workbench
Two quotes.
One clear comparison.
Put the full project cost beside the written scope before you approve a contractor deposit or start date.
Compare your contractor quotes
Free · No sign-upUse figures from your quotes, or load an illustrative example. All amount fields accept 0 to 100,000,000; percentages accept 0 to 100.
Your entries stay in this page. No upload, no account, no saved form data.
Your side-by-side breakdown will appear here after you compare.
Your cost breakdown
How to compare two contractor bids line by line
Align the project scope first
Make sure both bids describe the same dimensions, material grade, demolition limits, and tax treatment before comparing totals.
Price what is left out
Add realistic costs for excluded prep work, disposal, permit fees, or selections that exceed a low contractor allowance.
Resolve open questions in writing
Use the unconfirmed checklist items as your pre-signing agenda. Never rely on verbal promises for permits or warranties.
Quote comparison formula and scope rules
Planning budget = (quoted total + excluded work + allowance adjustment) × (1 + contingency ÷ 100). Deposit = quoted total × deposit percentage ÷ 100.
Worked homeowner bid example
A $12,000 contractor bid with $1,800 of excluded prep work and a $500 allowance increase produces a $14,300 adjusted scope subtotal. Adding a 10% homeowner contingency reserve ($1,430) brings the planning budget to $15,730. A 20% deposit on the $12,000 quote equals $2,400 upfront, which is already included inside the quoted total.
Scope assumptions and planning limits
This tool builds a side-by-side homeowner planning comparison, not a local contractor appraisal. Enter both bids in the same currency. Include applicable sales or contractor taxes inside the quoted total or excluded work fields. Contingency is a homeowner budget reserve for hidden site conditions, not an approved contractor overcharge. The deposit is shown separately because it is part of the quoted total and is never counted twice.
Browse homeowner checklists by trade and project area
Every trade has different hidden exclusions. Open the project category that matches your home repair, replacement, or remodel.
Heating, cooling & air quality ↗
14 guidesCompare HVAC equipment sizing, ductwork changes, drainage, and commissioning evidence.
Roofing, gutters & exterior ↗
20 guidesLook beyond shingle or siding brands to tear-off, flashing, decking repair, and disposal.
Kitchens, baths & interior ↗
10 guidesCheck waterproofing, cabinet and fixture allowances, subfloor prep, and trade handoffs.
Electrical, plumbing & safety ↗
27 guidesVerify load calculations, shutoff valves, permits, inspections, and utility coordination.
Windows, doors & insulation ↗
22 guidesCompare insert vs full-frame installation, air sealing, R-values, and opening schedules.
Landscaping, drainage & outdoor ↗
22 guidesConfirm 811 utility marking, discharge paths, base compaction, and lawn restoration.
General remodeling & planning ↗
53 guidesClarify dust containment, change-order pricing rules, payment milestones, and closeout.
Featured & recent homeowner quote review guides
Read step-by-step scope checklists covering demolition, materials, permits, utility marking, and closeout paperwork.
Occupied-Home Renovation: What a Dust-Control Quote Must Explain
Check containment barriers, negative air, daily cleanup, and HVAC protection before interior demolition starts.
Basement Dehumidifier Quotes: Capacity, Drainage, and Proof of Performance
Compare pint capacity at basement temperatures, dedicated condensate routing, and post-install humidity checks.
Septic Riser and Lid Quotes: Safe Access Without Scope Gaps
Verify adapter rings, watertight seals, surface load ratings, and multi-compartment lid safety before excavation.
Storm Shutter Quotes: Match Each Opening to a Working Protection Plan
Review opening-by-opening hardware schedules, wind-borne debris ratings, fastener substrates, and dry-run testing.
Fire-Resistant Deck Retrofit Quote: Materials, Gaps, Underdeck, and Ember Checks
Evaluate ledger flashing, noncombustible zone transitions, joist protection, and under-deck screening details.
Solar-Ready Roof Preparation Quote: Structure, Flashing, Conduit, and Records
Coordinate roof underlayment, structural attachment zones, stubbed conduit paths, and roof warranty continuity.
Private Well Treatment Quotes: Start With the Test Report
Match filtration media, flow rates, backwash discharge, and bypass plumbing to a certified lab water analysis.
Attic Radiant Barrier Quote: Climate, Air Gap, Coverage, and Safety Checks
Check breathable perforation, required air space, electrical clearance, and soffit-to-ridge ventilation paths.
Accessible Doorway Widening Quote: Clear Width, Structure, and Finish Checks
Confirm actual clear opening width with hinges, header framing load status, threshold bevels, and floor patching.
Range Hood Make-Up Air Quote: Capture, Duct, Pressure, and Combustion Safety
Verify damper interlocks, outdoor intake placement, tempering needs, and backdraft testing around fuel appliances.
Heat Pump Electrical Readiness Quote: Load, Circuit, Disconnect, and Test
Review NEC load calculations, dedicated breaker sizing, outdoor disconnect accessibility, and cold-weather startup.
Kitchen Range Hood Venting: Duct Route, Termination, and Scope Checks
Compare rigid metal duct sizing, roof or wall cap dampers, framing penetrations, and grease-tight sealing.
Common questions before signing a contractor estimate
What if an allowance is already included in the contractor quote?
Enter only the expected upgrade gap above the stated allowance. If the bid includes a $2,000 tile allowance and your actual tile selection costs $2,500, enter $500 in the allowance adjustment field.
Does a lower planning budget mean the contractor bid is better?
No. A lower price can reflect thinner materials, skipped surface prep, missing permits, or vague warranty language. Review the cost gap alongside the unconfirmed scope checklist.
How should I handle change orders and hidden damage clauses?
Before signing, ask how hidden rot, wiring, or subfloor issues will be documented, priced, and approved. Require written unit rates or signed change orders before extra work begins.
Who is responsible for pulling building permits and calling 811?
The written proposal should state explicitly whether the contractor or homeowner pulls required permits, pays permit fees, schedules inspections, and requests 811 utility marking.
Are my contractor quote numbers uploaded or stored on a server?
No. All calculations run locally in your browser. Nothing you type is transmitted or saved. Use Export comparison CSV or Print / Save PDF if you want to keep a copy.