One of the most common forum questions: “Is this quote reasonable?” Here’s how to actually read a renovation quote rather than just looking at the total.
What a Good Quote Includes
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Scope description: Not just “kitchen renovation” but specific line items — what cabinets, what countertop material and thickness, what tile, what appliances are included, what is excluded.
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Labour breakdown: Demo labour, rough-in labour (plumbing, electrical, framing), finishing labour (tile, cabinets, countertop install, painting). When labour is itemized, you can verify each line.
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Material specifications: Cabinet brand and line (IKEA SEKTION? Custom? Semi-custom?), countertop material and edge profile, tile brand and series, fixture brands and model numbers where possible.
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Exclusions list: A well-written quote explicitly states what’s NOT included. “Countertop supply by client,” “appliances excluded,” “permit fee estimated separately.”
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Payment schedule: Deposit (10% max), milestone payments, holdback.
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Start and completion dates.
Red Flags in a Quote
- No line items, just a single total number
- “Allowances” for everything (allowances are meaningless without specified amounts)
- No exclusions list (means scope is undefined — change orders will follow)
- Very low square-footage rates without explanation
When Quotes Don’t Match
If two contractors quote the same project at very different prices, the most likely explanation is they’re not quoting the same scope. Ask each bidder to walk through their quote line by line against the others.
Post your quote questions below — drop the scope and numbers (no contractor names needed) and the community can help you calibrate.