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Free tool for homeowners · 2 minutes

Is this contractor quote safe to sign?

Hold the quote in one hand and answer 12 yes-or-no questions. You will see what is missing, which items are real red flags, and exactly what to ask for before any money changes hands.

Grab the quote and answer 12 questions

1. Is the quote in writing, with the company name, address and phone on it?
2. Does it list exactly what work will be done and which materials (brand, model, size)?
3. Have you confirmed their license (if your state requires one for this work)?
4. Have you seen a current certificate of liability insurance?
5. Is the deposit one-third of the job or less?
6. Does it give a start date and an estimated finish date?
7. Does it say who pulls the permits (and the price includes them)?
8. Does it spell out a warranty on the work, in writing?
9. Are payments tied to finished stages of work, not dates?
10. Does it cover cleanup and haul-away?
11. Did they give you time to decide without a "today only" price?
12. Will you pay by check or card, not cash only?
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Before you sign

    Is the price fair? Check typical costsFind another local pro

    What a good contractor quote includes

    A good quote protects both of you. It names the company and how to reach them, lists the work and the exact materials, says who handles permits, gives a schedule, ties payments to finished stages, and puts the warranty in writing. Honest contractors are glad to add anything that's missing. If a pro gets annoyed when you ask, that tells you how the rest of the job will go.

    Is a lower quote always a red flag?

    No, but a quote far below the others usually leaves something out. Line up the quotes item by item and ask about every difference.

    What if the contractor won't put it in writing?

    Don't hire them. A written scope and price is the minimum for any job over a few hundred dollars.

    Already paid and things went wrong?

    Read what to do if a contractor took your money. Act quickly and keep everything in writing.

    More: 12 contractor red flags · 25 questions to ask a contractor before hiring