Neutral bid comparison tool
CS Contractor Search Compare written scope before you compare personalities.
Free contractor worksheet

Compare contractor bids side by side.

Compare bids by price, written scope, prep details, materials, warranty, licensing, insurance, reviews, years in business, timeline, professionalism, and red flags. The cheapest bid is not always the safest bid.

Use it for painting, roofing, remodel, flooring, mechanical, or other home-service quotes. The goal is simple: make missing scope visible before you sign anything.

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Contractor bids
Contractor Bid Scope License Insurance Warranty Timeline Reviews Years Professionalism Score Rank Red Flags Notes
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    Before You Hire

    The cheapest bid is not always the safest bid. The best bid is usually the clearest, most verifiable, and least risky.

    Written scope: surfaces, prep, repairs, materials, exclusions, closeout.
    Insurance: ask for current proof, not just a verbal claim.
    License: verify the business name matches the bid when licensing applies.
    Warranty: confirm term, what is covered, and what voids it.
    Payment: avoid vague draw schedules or pressure tactics.
    Reviews: check more than one platform when possible.
    Line item breakdown
    Scoring weights
    Weights normalize automatically to 100%. Price is scored relative to the lowest bid, but quality factors can outweigh a cheap incomplete bid. Red flags subtract points after the weighted score is calculated.
    Next step

    Turn the worksheet into a cleaner hiring decision.

    If the bids are still vague, build a cleaner project brief or read the bid red-flags guide before you reward the lowest number.

    Open project brief Read bid red flags
    Use this worksheet to:
    • Spot missing prep, materials, cleanup, or warranty details
    • Keep suspiciously low bids in context instead of trusting the total alone
    • Document exclusions and allowance gaps before change orders appear
    • Decide what follow-up questions matter before you pick a contractor

    How to Compare Contractor Bids

    A contractor bid should be compared by more than the final price. A good bid explains the work being performed, the materials being used, the preparation included, the warranty terms, the timeline, payment expectations, and what is excluded. When two bids look similar on price, the clearer and more complete bid is often the safer choice.

    Use this bid comparison tool to organize each contractor side by side. Enter the bid amount, then score the parts that usually determine whether the project goes smoothly: scope clarity, license and insurance proof, warranty, reviews, years in business, timeline, professionalism, and red flags.

    Why the Lowest Bid Can Cost More

    The lowest bid may leave out important work. On painting projects, that can mean limited prep, cheaper paint, fewer coats, skipped caulking, or no cleanup. On roofing or exterior projects, it can mean thin specifications, skipped repairs, weak waterproofing details, or vague warranty terms. A low price only helps if the written scope is complete.

    What Every Contractor Bid Should Include

    Every bid should clearly list the areas included, preparation steps, materials or product brands, number of coats or application assumptions, project timeline, warranty terms, cleanup, exclusions, payment schedule, and proof of license and insurance when required. If those details are missing, ask for them in writing before hiring.

    Questions to Ask Before Hiring

    Trade-Specific Bid Tips

    For painting bids, compare surface prep, masking, caulking, repairs, primer, paint brand, number of coats, cleanup, and warranty. For roofing or roof coating bids, compare tear-off or preparation, seam and penetration repairs, product specs, application rate, drainage concerns, and warranty. For remodel bids, compare allowances, change-order language, permit responsibility, and who actually supervises the job.

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