How Many Quotes Should You Get?
Three is the minimum. Five is better for large projects. Fewer than three and you have no basis for comparison — you're trusting one person's number without context. More than five and you'll start wasting everyone's time, including your own.
The purpose of getting multiple quotes isn't just to find the cheapest price. It's to understand the market rate for your project, identify what's included and what's not, and evaluate which contractor communicates most clearly. A quote is a window into how the contractor thinks, plans, and operates. Treat it as an audition, not just a price tag.
What a Good Quote Should Include
A professional estimate is more than a number on a napkin. At minimum, it should include:
- Detailed scope of work: Every task the contractor will perform, described specifically. "Install kitchen backsplash" is vague. "Remove existing backsplash, prep wall surface, install 4x12 subway tile in running bond pattern with matching grout, install trim pieces at edges and outlets" is useful.
- Materials specified: Brand, model, grade, and quantity for all major materials. "Tile" is meaningless. "Daltile Rittenhouse Square 3x6, Arctic White, 85 sq ft" tells you exactly what you're getting.
- Labor costs: Either itemized by task or as a clear total. You should understand what portion of the quote is labor vs. materials.
- Timeline: Start date, estimated completion date, and any milestones. A contractor who can't estimate their own timeline is a red flag.
- Payment terms: When payments are due and what triggers each payment. This should align with a safe payment schedule.
- What's excluded: A good quote tells you what it doesn't cover. Permits, dumpster fees, unexpected structural repairs — if these aren't in the quote, who pays for them?
- Warranty information: What the contractor guarantees and for how long.
- Expiration date: Material prices and labor rates change. A quote should state how long it's valid (30 days is standard).
Line-Item vs. Lump-Sum Estimates
A line-item estimate breaks the project into individual components, each with its own price: demolition ($X), framing ($X), electrical ($X), drywall ($X), and so on. This gives you transparency — you can see exactly where your money is going and compare specific items across different quotes.
A lump-sum estimate gives you one total price for the entire project. It's simpler, but it hides the details. You can't tell if one contractor is charging twice as much for materials, or if another is cutting corners on labor.
For most homeowners, a line-item estimate is preferable. It makes comparison easier, negotiations more productive, and change orders more straightforward. If a contractor only provides lump-sum quotes and won't break it down when asked, consider that a yellow flag — it suggests they either don't want you to see the details or haven't thought through them carefully.
How to Compare Apples to Apples
The biggest mistake homeowners make when comparing quotes: assuming all three contractors are pricing the same work. They're almost never doing that. One might include permit fees; another doesn't. One specifies premium materials; another uses builder-grade. One includes cleanup and haul-away; another expects you to handle it.
To compare fairly:
- Create a standardized scope. Write down exactly what you want done before you get quotes. Give every contractor the same written description. This forces their quotes to address the same work.
- Build a comparison spreadsheet. List each major item (demo, materials, labor, permits, cleanup, warranty) as rows and each contractor as columns. Fill in the details from each quote. Gaps become obvious immediately.
- Ask follow-up questions. When one quote is significantly higher or lower on a specific item, ask why. The answer is often revealing. Maybe they're using better materials. Maybe they're not including something the others are. Maybe they have more experience and can do it faster.
Why the Cheapest Quote Usually Isn't the Best
A quote that's 30-40% below the others isn't a bargain — it's a warning sign. There are limited reasons a contractor can be dramatically cheaper than their competition:
- They're using inferior materials
- They're cutting corners on labor (fewer workers, less experienced crews)
- They're not including work that the other quotes cover
- They're not properly licensed, insured, or bonded (which reduces their overhead but increases your risk)
- They're desperate for work, which may indicate cash flow problems or a declining reputation
- They plan to hit you with change orders once the project starts
The lowest price often ends up being the most expensive project. Cost overruns, delays, defective work that needs to be redone, and disputes all cost more than paying a fair price to a qualified contractor from the beginning.
When and How to Negotiate
Negotiating with contractors is reasonable, but approach it with respect. They're running a business with real costs. Here are productive negotiation strategies:
- Share your budget honestly. "Our budget for this project is $X. Can you help us understand what's possible within that range?" This is more productive than asking them to cut their price.
- Ask about material alternatives. "If we used a different tile grade, how much would that save?" Material substitutions are the easiest way to adjust a quote without compromising labor quality.
- Discuss timing flexibility. Contractors often have slower seasons. If you can be flexible on start dates, you may get a better rate.
- Don't use one contractor's quote to beat up another. "Contractor B quoted $5,000 less — can you match it?" is a losing strategy. If Contractor A is better, hire them at their price. If Contractor B is truly comparable, hire them.
Red Flags in Contractor Quotes
Watch for these warning signs when reviewing estimates:
- No written quote at all. "I'll take care of it for about $8,000" is not a quote. It's a guess, and it's unenforceable.
- Pressure to sign immediately. "This price is only good today" is a sales tactic, not a business practice. Legitimate contractors give you time to decide.
- Large upfront deposits. Anything over 10% upfront (or the cost of special-order materials) is excessive. Read more about safe payment schedules.
- Vague scope descriptions. If the quote doesn't clearly describe the work, neither will the result. Ambiguity in an estimate leads to disputes during the project.
- No mention of permits. If your project requires permits, the quote should address who pulls them and who pays for them.
- Cash-only requests. Contractors who want to be paid exclusively in cash are often trying to avoid taxes or a paper trail. This also eliminates your ability to dispute charges.
For a deeper look at estimate red flags, see our guide on red flags in contractor estimates.
After You Choose a Quote
Once you've selected a contractor based on a thorough comparison, don't skip the rest of your due diligence. Verify the license, confirm insurance, call references, and make sure the final contract matches the quote you accepted. The quote is the starting point — the signed contract is what governs the project.