The short version
- 01Ask every contractor to price the same scope.
- 02Check what is excluded.
- 03Compare payment schedules.
- 04Ask who manages the job day to day.
Make the scope match
Write a short scope list and send it to every contractor. When the quotes come back, check each line is covered.
Read the exclusions
Permits, disposal, patching, and painting are common exclusions. A low quote that leaves them out can end up costing more.
Look at the schedule and payments
A deposit followed by payments tied to milestones protects both sides. Be careful with large upfront payments.
- Deposit amount
- Milestones for each payment
- Final payment after walkthrough
Questions homeowners ask
How many quotes should I get?
Three is a good number for most projects. More than that rarely changes the decision.
Ready for a real number?
A crew lead walks the job and gives you a written estimate. No cost, no obligation.
About the author
Jacob Pro Project DeskEstimating and permitting team
The project desk scopes every Jacob Pro job before a crew is scheduled. The team writes these guides from the estimates, permit files, and closeout reports it handles every week, so homeowners can plan with the same questions our estimators ask.