What this tool can and cannot tell you
It can organize three proposals and expose where one bid carries more allowances or a less complete written scope. It cannot verify contractor quality, licensing, workmanship or whether your 1–5 scores are fair. Treat the scores as notes for your own review, not as a ranking engine.
First normalize the scope
Before entering totals, make sure each quote answers the same basic questions. A $17,000 quote without disposal, permit or flashing work is not directly comparable with a $19,500 quote that includes them.
| Scope item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition / removal | Included? | Included? | Included? |
| Permits | Included? | Included? | Included? |
| Named products | Specified? | Specified? | Specified? |
| Preparation / hidden repairs | Method? | Method? | Method? |
| Cleanup / disposal | Included? | Included? | Included? |
| Warranty | Written? | Written? | Written? |
For a roof, use the roofing quote normalization example to separate confirmed exclusions from hypothetical deck-repair quantities before entering comparable totals here. An unpriced required item stays unresolved; it is not a zero-dollar exclusion.
How to use the allowance field
Enter the total dollar amount of unresolved selections carried as allowances. A quote with $4,000 of allowances is not necessarily worse than one with $500, but more of its final price is still unsettled. The “price less allowances” line helps you see how much of the contract is actually defined.
How to score scope completeness
A simple way to stay consistent:
- 1: very little written detail; broad lump sum.
- 2: basic scope but important products or exclusions are missing.
- 3: most major tasks are listed; some details remain open.
- 4: products, major tasks, exclusions and change-order approach are clear.
- 5: highly detailed written scope with quantities/specifications where practical.
How to score warranty clarity
Score the documentation, not the number of years printed in large type. A clear warranty identifies who provides it, what is covered, exclusions, duration, transfer rules and how a claim is made.
Verify the company separately
Licensing rules vary by state and trade. Check the appropriate state or local licensing source, confirm insurance where relevant, and ask who will actually supervise the work. The calculator does not perform those checks.
Contract terms worth reading before price
- Deposit and payment schedule
- Start conditions and substantial-completion terms
- Written change-order process
- Who obtains permits
- Site protection and cleanup
- Owner-supplied materials
- Dispute and cancellation terms
- Workmanship warranty responsibility
FAQ
Should I choose the quote with the highest score?
No. The scores are your own organizational notes. They do not measure craftsmanship, reliability or value.
Why subtract allowances?
It helps distinguish defined scope from money set aside for selections that can still change.
Should unit-priced repairs be entered as allowances?
Not necessarily. A deck-repair rate of $100 per sheet is different from a material allowance because the unit price is known but the quantity is not.
Use the Home Improvement Cost Glossary if a proposal uses unfamiliar terms, and keep a separate reserve with the Project Contingency Calculator.
For a cabinet project, first inventory doors, drawer fronts and exposed panels with the cabinet refacing scope calculator. Bring its normalized known total here only after each proposal includes the same hardware, repairs and finish surfaces.