Send the same description of your project to each contractor, then compare what the written proposals include. Price matters, but a total alone does not explain the materials, exclusions or work still left for you to arrange.
Start with one project brief
Write down the job, location, preferred timing and the result you want. Add measurements and photos if available. Identify anything that must stay, items you will supply and a budget range you choose to share. Use the same brief when asking each business to quote.
For remodeling, the kitchen and bathroom guides provide preparation checklists.
Compare these parts side by side
| Part | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Scope | Which parts of my brief are included or excluded? |
| Materials | Which products are specified, and which are allowances? |
| Coordination | Who arranges other trades, permits and inspections? |
| Schedule | What start and completion dates are proposed, and what assumptions could change them? |
| Changes | How is unexpected or additional work priced and approved? |
| Payment | What is due at each agreed stage? |
| Finish | What cleanup, handover and warranty terms are included? |
A blank or ambiguous line is a question for the bidder. Ask for a revised written proposal when the scope changes, so the comparison stays useful.
The Federal Trade Commission's contractor guidance recommends multiple written estimates, checking credentials and insurance, and examining the work and materials behind a price difference. Its guidance also cautions against paying the whole project price in advance.
Check the business separately
Use our registration-checking guide and ask for references from comparable jobs. Registration does not establish workmanship, current insurance coverage, availability or every required trade license. Ask the business to explain which credentials apply to your project.
IBC's directory includes a useful free listing. Premiere members appear first, marked with the gold check. Placement does not establish that a business is the right choice for your job.
Request quotes or call directly
Post your project and confirm the emailed link to open it for quotes. Your name, email and phone are not shown to bidders; you contact the business you choose. Responses depend on availability, and a site visit or more information may be needed before a dependable price is possible.
You can also browse by city and contact a business directly without posting a project. Choose the route that fits the job; collecting a quote never obliges you to hire.
Questions before signing
Must I choose the lowest price?
Compare the same scope and ask what explains a difference. A lower price by itself does not establish missing work or poor quality, and a higher one does not establish better work.
How long is a quote valid?
Ask the contractor to put its validity period and any price-change conditions in writing. Reconfirm it if your timing changes.
How many quotes should I collect?
Collect enough comparable written proposals to understand your options. Available responses vary by job and area; IBC does not promise a particular number.