Checklist
Contractor Quote Checklist
Most homeowners get burned not because they hired the cheapest contractor, but because they signed a contract without checking the right things first. This checklist covers the 16 items that matter on every written bid - license, insurance, deposit terms, permits, lien waivers, and the rest - in the same order you should work through them before picking up a pen.
Check items off as you go - your progress saves in this browser automatically, no account needed and nothing is uploaded. This site sells no leads and steers you toward no contractor; these items are the same ones consumer protection agencies and state licensing boards consistently identify as the difference between a project that goes smoothly and one that ends in a dispute.
Where these items come from
The 16 items reflect the hiring and vetting standards documented in our guides and grounded in Federal Trade Commission contractor fraud guidance, state licensing board requirements, and standard construction contract practice. Our guide to getting accurate contractor quotes covers how to structure the quoting process so you are comparing equivalent scopes; how to read a contractor contract goes line by line through the clauses that matter; and how to vet a contractor's license and insurance explains exactly how to run each verification through your state's official lookup tools.
Progress saves in your browser via local storage. Nothing is sent to a server, and clearing your browser data resets the checklist.
What this checklist does not cover
This list addresses the contract and vetting stage - it does not substitute for reading the full contract, having a real estate attorney review large or complex contracts, or understanding trade-specific requirements (electrical, HVAC, and structural work carry permit and licensing requirements that vary by state and municipality). For large projects, a second read-through with our contract guide open alongside is worth the time.
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get?
Get at least three written, itemized quotes for any project over $1,000. One or two quotes give you no competitive baseline and give the contractor no pricing incentive. Three quotes also reveal whether one bid is missing scope items the others include.
What deposit is normal for a contractor?
A deposit of 10 to 30 percent of the project total is standard for most residential contractors. Anything above one-third upfront is a red flag - the Federal Trade Commission and state attorney general offices consistently list large upfront cash demands as a marker of contractor fraud.
What are contractor red flags?
The most documented red flags are: demands for more than one-third upfront in cash, asking you to pull your own permits, no written contract, no verifiable license number, high-pressure urgency to sign today, and a price far below every other bid.
Do I need a written contract for a small job?
Yes, for any job over a few hundred dollars. Verbal agreements are difficult to enforce and leave price, scope, and timeline open to dispute. A one-page written scope with a payment schedule protects both parties and costs nothing to create.
What is a lien waiver and why does it matter?
A lien waiver is a document the contractor signs at final payment releasing the right to file a mechanics lien against your property. Without it, unpaid subcontractors or suppliers can place a lien on your home even after you have paid the general contractor in full.