Before You Sign
That contractor quote may not be the final price. It may be the opening number.
Before you sign it. Before they start it. Before it costs you more. Understand what's included, what's missing, and what to ask before you commit.
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Part One
The Four Rules of Quote Protection
RULE 01
Never Compare Totals Until You Compare Scope
The lowest number and the highest number may not describe the same project at all.
RULE 02
A Verbal Promise Is Not Part of the Price
If it isn't written into the quote, it isn't part of what you're paying for.
RULE 03
Separate Required Work From Recommended Work
One list keeps the project running. The other list is a sales opportunity.
RULE 04
Your Leverage Is Greatest Before Work Begins
Every question is easier to ask, and every answer easier to get, before the deposit clears.
Part Two
The P.R.I.C.E. Method
P
Pin Down the Project
Write one project brief and give every contractor the same one. Quotes are only comparable if they're answering the same question.
R
Reveal What Is Missing
Read the quote for what it doesn't say. Undefined materials and broad allowances don't disappear because nobody wrote them down.
I
Investigate the Contractor and the Terms
A detailed quote doesn't replace verification. License, insurance, and payment terms get checked regardless of how the quote reads.
C
Compare the True Project Cost
The quoted price isn't always the likely total cost. Add allowances, permits, and financing fees before comparing two numbers.
E
Execute Only When It Is Clear
Nothing gets signed until scope, materials, quantities, and exclusions are addressed in writing.
Part Four
The Quote Clarity Score
A 100-point scale across seven categories. It tells you how usable a quote is, not how good the contractor is.
Before You Ask