Compare the same scope
List the tasks included in each proposal. Ask about removal, surface preparation, installation, finishing and cleanup. If one estimate includes a task and another leaves it out, request clarification before treating them as equivalent.
Make material choices visible
Look for identifiable products, finishes and quantities. Where a selection is still open, ask how it is represented in the estimate and what happens when you choose a different product. Keep your own notes alongside the proposal so unresolved decisions remain visible.
Ask what is excluded
A useful question is: “What would I still need to arrange or pay for outside this scope?” Ask who is responsible for moving furniture, material delivery and final touch-ups. These are comparison questions, not assumptions about what every contractor includes.
Discuss timing and changes
Ask which dates are estimates and which dependencies could affect them. Before work begins, understand how a requested change would be described, priced and approved. A change you think is small can affect another part of the project.
Keep a written record
The Federal Trade Commission recommends multiple written estimates that describe the work, materials, completion date and price. It also advises asking for an explanation when estimates differ substantially. Keep the proposal and your questions together so you can review the answers before deciding.
Have a project in mind?
Share your ideas and your Greater Boise location. Let’s talk through the next step.
Start your project