How the quote checker works
- Pick the project and finish level that match the bid. The options are the same 11 projects and 39 levels as our cost per square foot calculator, so a kitchen refresh isn't compared with a gut remodel.
- Enter the size and your location. We multiply our national per-square-foot range by your size and a location factor: 1.00 for the U.S. average, our regional index for each Census division, or a metro factor for 25 large metros.
- Enter the quote. We compare the total with our low, typical and high figures and give a verdict: below range, normal, high (above our high end) or very high (more than 25% above it).
Estimate The range is a Ledger and Lumber planning estimate, not a quote. Bids for the same job can differ by tens of percent for good reasons.
Why contractor quotes run high
When a quote comes in above the range, it's usually scope, not greed. The most common reasons, in plain English:
- The job is bigger than it looks. Moving a sink, toilet or wall turns a same-layout remodel into a much bigger one. So does fixing what's found when walls open: rot, old wiring, leaks.
- Finishes and allowances. Custom cabinets, natural stone and designer fixtures cost several times more than stock versions. Two bids with different allowances aren't comparable.
- Permits, design and management. Some bids include drawings, permits, inspections, a dumpster and a project manager. Others leave them out.
- Small-job and busy-season pricing. Contractors have fixed costs per job, so small projects cost more per square foot, and rates rise when crews are booked out.
- Local labor rates. A bid in a high-cost metro can be fair at a price that would be high elsewhere. Pick your metro or region above.
What to do with the verdict
Normal: compare it with your other bids line by line, and check what each one leaves out. High or very high: ask for an itemized bid, confirm the scope matches the project type you picked, and get at least two more bids on the same written scope. Below range: make sure the bid includes permits, demolition and realistic allowances, and check the contractor's license and insurance. Our guide to comparing contractor bids walks through each step, and the contingency guide explains how much to hold back for surprises.
Contractor Bid Comparison Sheet
Line up to 3 bids on the same scope, flag what each one leaves out, and score price, schedule and trust side by side.
Get the templateQuote checker FAQ
How do I know if a contractor quote is fair?
Compare it with a range for the same scope, size and location, then compare it with at least two other bids on the same written scope. This checker does the first part: it prices your project from the same blended ranges our cost guides use and tells you where your quote lands.
What counts as a high quote?
We call a quote high when it is above the top of our range, and very high when it is more than 25% above it. A quote inside the range is normal. Plenty of fair quotes sit near the high end, especially for older homes or premium finishes.
Is a $35,000 bathroom remodel quote too high?
For a full, same-layout remodel of a 40 sq ft hall bath, our national range is $17,500–$41,000, so $35,000 is inside the range but well above our typical $25,000. It's more reasonable if the job moves plumbing, adds a tiled walk-in shower or is in a high-cost metro. See our bathroom quote guide.
Why is my quote below the range?
Usually because it prices less work: no permit, no demolition, low allowances for finishes, or the homeowner supplying materials. Check what's excluded before you treat a low quote as a bargain.
Do you store the quote I enter?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or to contractors, and we don't use cookies for it.
Where do the ranges come from?
From the same blended ranges as our cost guides and the cost per square foot calculator: we pool published figures from HomeGuide, Angi and the 2025 Cost vs. Value report, then apply a regional or metro factor. See how we price.