Start with the same scope
Two prices are only comparable when they cover the same work. Write down the rooms involved, what will be removed, what stays, and the intended result. Ask each contractor to explain anything their proposal leaves out.
Make a side-by-side list
Compare demolition and disposal, preparation, materials, installation, protection of occupied spaces, cleanup, and any permit or professional fees. Mark each item as included, excluded, an allowance, or unresolved. A missing item deserves a question rather than an assumption.
Understand allowances
An allowance is an amount reserved for a selection or part of the work. Ask what quantity and material level it assumes, whether installation is included, and how a difference is handled once you choose the item. Compare the same cabinet, tile, flooring, and fixture assumptions across proposals.
Ask what happens when the work changes
Discuss how concealed conditions, customer-requested changes, and selection changes are documented. Ask who approves added work, how it is priced, and how it may affect the sequence. Keep the agreed scope and changes in writing.
Use the written proposal to choose
Review the schedule assumptions, payment terms, product details, and warranty terms as well as the price. Washington L&I recommends checking contractor registration, comparing written bids, and understanding the contract before signing. Its homeowner resources are linked below.
Official resources
Sources checked October 29, 2026. Confirm current requirements for the property and proposed work.