Planning · Contractor bids
Contractor quote comparison calculator.
Put the quotes on the same footing before you pick one: adjust for scope and markup, then check the deposit against your limit.
Inputs
Adjusted comparison
Enter the numbers above.
How this works
The cheapest quote is often the one that leaves something out. This calculator puts each quote on the same footing: adjusted price = quoted price x (1 + markup / 100) + scope you must add yourself - scope in the quote that you do not want. Use "markup not in the price" only when a quote shows costs before the contractor's overhead and profit. Then it ranks the adjusted prices and shows each deposit.
Deposit rules are set by each state or province, so pick your own limit. As one documented example, the California Contractors State License Board says a home improvement down payment should never exceed 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, with an exception for contractors who hold a Blanket Performance and Payment Bond. Check your own jurisdiction before you pay anything. Get the scope, price and payment schedule in writing.
Worked example. Quote A is $48,000 and leaves out $3,500 of work, so it adjusts to $51,500. Quote B is $45,000 but excludes $6,000, adjusting to $51,000, and asks a 33 percent deposit ($14,850), which is flagged against a 10 percent limit. Quote C is $52,000 with $1,500 of unwanted scope removed, adjusting to $50,500, the lowest. The spread is $1,000, or 2.0 percent of the lowest.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare contractor quotes fairly?
Make sure every quote covers the same scope. Add the cost of work a quote leaves out, subtract work you do not want, and include any markup that is shown separately. Then compare the adjusted totals, deposits and schedules.
How much deposit can a contractor ask for?
It depends on where you live. In California the licensing board says a home improvement down payment should never exceed 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, with an exception for contractors holding a Blanket Performance and Payment Bond. Look up the rule for your own state or province.
Is the lowest quote the best one?
Not necessarily. A low price can mean missing scope, thin allowances or a long schedule. This calculator shows the adjusted price, but also compare licences, insurance, references and timing.
Should payments be tied to progress?
A contract should state when payments will be made. Many owners tie payments to finished stages of work rather than dates, but your local rules and contract terms govern.
Sources
Checked
- California Contractors State License Board, "What should I look for in a contract and binding agreements?", opened 8 October 2026. says a contract should include the total price and when payments will be made, and that a home improvement down payment should never exceed 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less (with an exception for contractors holding a Blanket Performance and Payment Bond)
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Planning note
Estimates only, not financial, legal or professional advice. You supply every price; this page contains no regional cost data. Confirm real costs with written quotes from licensed local contractors. Deposit rules vary by jurisdiction.