How to Get Contractor Quotes: The Complete Guide

Bottom line: get 3–5 quotes for any project over $1,000, make sure every quote covers the same scope, and never accept a number given over the phone without a written follow-up. This guide walks through the entire process — what to prepare, how to ask, how to compare, and when to walk away.

How many quotes should you get?

Three to five for most projects over $1,000. Fewer than three gives you no sense of the market; more than five adds scheduling work without changing the decision. For small jobs under ~$500, two quotes is usually enough. For major work (roof, HVAC replacement, remodel), aim for the full five — spreads of 40–60% between the highest and lowest bid are common, which on a $10,000 job is real money.

What to prepare before you ask for quotes

Contractors quote faster and more accurately when you can answer these five things up front:

• The symptom, not the diagnosis — “water heater leaks from the bottom,” not “I need a new anode rod.”
• Photos — of the problem, the equipment label, and the surrounding access.
• Your address — travel distance changes price and willingness.
• Timing — is this an emergency, this-week, or whenever-is-cheapest?
• Budget comfort — you don't have to share it, but know it yourself.

How to request a quote (and what to say)

Call or message each contractor with the same short brief: the symptom, the photos, the address, and the timing. Then ask for an itemized written estimate — labor, materials, and any haul-away or permit fees listed separately. If a contractor will only give a lump sum “it'll be around $X” on the phone, treat it as a placeholder, not a quote. See our companion guide, How to Call a Contractor, for a word-for-word script.

How to compare quotes line by line

Put every quote side by side and check these five lines before looking at the total:

• Scope — is it the same job? One “water heater replacement” may include permits and haul-away; another may not.
• Materials — same brand/model tier, or “builder grade” vs. what you asked for?
• Labor & timeline — days on site and crew size explain many price gaps.
• Warranty — parts and labor, and for how long. A 1-year labor warranty is standard; less is a flag.
• Payment schedule — a deposit of 10–30% is normal. More than 50% up front is not.

Red flags that should end the conversation

• A price that's dramatically lower than every other bid — it usually grows later via change orders.
• Pressure to sign today for a “special price.”
• No license number or proof of insurance when asked directly.
• Cash-only, or a deposit over 50%.
• No written estimate after two requests.

The part nobody warns you about: the phone tag

The hardest part of getting 3–5 quotes isn't comparing them — it's the week of calls, voicemails, and callbacks it takes to collect them. Block one evening, make the calls back to back with the same brief, and you'll have most of your answers by the weekend. For vetted local pros who respond to written requests, FixerUp's marketplace at fixerupus.com is built for exactly this step.

About this guide: Fixa published it while Fixa was a homeowner service that made these calls for you. That service is being retired — Fixa is now an app for service pros — but the advice stands, so we're keeping it online.