I was hoping to get some professional opinions and expertise. I have 2 quotes for renovation work on a house. One quote has the items listed, shows the price of each item as $0 and then has a final total. I have no idea what the breakdown of each item is, but the overall cost is reasonable. The other quote has the items listed but with a breakdown price of each item. The total is higher for this one. Is an estimate with no cost breakdown a red flag? I know cheaper is not always better. I'm concerned with being hit with a lot of "unexpected" costs as the project starts.
Real Estate Agent · Chicago IL, USA · Member since 2024 · 22 posts · 10 votes
2y
Hey Ursula, I don't think breaking down the cost is more important than detailing the SOW(scope of work). If they haven't already, ask both of them to provide a detailed scope of work and then compare pricing based on the scope they provide. If they don't want to give a scope of work that's a huge red flag. Most contractors inflate materials so if you can, pay for them yourself.
Contractor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 72 posts · 16 votes
1y
Hi Ursula,
Even though this post is a few months old, I thought I’d chime in just in case you’re still working through this or for future projects. A quote with no cost breakdown can definitely be a red flag—it makes it harder to understand what you’re paying for and leaves room for unexpected costs to pop up. On the other hand, a detailed quote with a higher total may offer more transparency and reduce the risk of surprises as the project progresses.
I specialize in consulting services for situations like this, where I help clients evaluate contractor quotes, ensure transparency, and navigate the renovation process with confidence. As a licensed contractor and real estate agent, I can review your estimates, ask the questions you might not know to ask, and help you make an informed decision that balances cost with quality. Let me know if you’d like to chat—I’d be happy to help!