Free quote checker
Contractor Bid Comparison Calculator
Compare up to three home improvement quotes before you sign. The calculator normalizes cost per square foot, spots lowball bids, checks allowance and deposit risk, and gives you the questions to ask before accepting a contractor estimate.
Middle bid
$28,500
Bid spread
28%
Lowest bid
$23,900
Highest bid
$31,800
Contractor A
$28,500
$63
0/100
46%
9%
- -scope and pricing look comparatively balanced
Contractor B
$23,900
$53
92/100
41%
21%
- -priced more than 15% below the middle bid
- -large allowances can hide future change orders
- -deposit is above 35% of the contract
- -scope detail score is low
Contractor C
$31,800
$71
0/100
47%
6%
- -scope and pricing look comparatively balanced
Best bid to investigate first: Contractor A
This is not an automatic winner. It is the quote with the lowest current risk score after comparing price, scope, allowances, deposit, schedule and warranty. Ask the questions below before signing.
Questions to ask before accepting a bid
- - What exact materials, model numbers, finishes and quantities are included?
- - Which allowances can become change orders, and at what markup?
- - Is demolition, haul-away, permit handling, cleanup and inspection time included?
- - What payment schedule is tied to completed work, not just calendar dates?
- - What labor warranty and manufacturer warranty are documented in writing?
When the lowest bid is risky
A bid that is far below the middle quote can still be legitimate, but only if the contractor has the same scope, materials, permit assumptions, insurance, schedule, warranty and cleanup obligations as the other bidders.
If the low quote depends on vague allowances, a large upfront deposit, missing permit language, or a short warranty, treat the spread as a negotiation signal rather than a bargain.