Is This Ethical Behavior When Dealing With Contractors?

[Christine Swaidan]

I have two bids on two separate projects (different houses). Both contractors responded in a timely fashion and have answered my follow up questions. One was high on one project bid and low on the other project bid and vise-versa.  I am looking to establish a working relationship with a contractor and both these people are in the running. I'm considering asking the low bidders to do the jobs. That means one would get one job and the other company would get the second job. When added together the totals for both projects are $1000 between the two bidders. But if I accept the lowest bid from either contractor I will save significantly more and see how two different companies work. Is this ethical on my part?