Compare proposals on scope, not on price
Two bids on the same project will almost always be different numbers — because they're almost always describing different work. One assumes you'll reuse existing plumbing locations; the other priced in moving them. One has a $4,000 tile allowance; the other has $12,000. One includes paint; the other doesn't.
Before you compare dollars, line up the scopes side by side. If you want help interpreting bids, we're happy to walk through them with you.
What a good proposal actually looks like
A clearly written scope of work. Real product allowances broken out by category (tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting, appliances, countertops), not one giant lump-sum "finishes" number. A payment schedule tied to milestones. A written change-order process. A realistic timeline. And someone willing to answer questions in plain English instead of waving you off.
What to ask in person
Who's actually managing my project day to day? Who's on site? How often will you communicate with me? What's your change-order process — and how often do you see change orders? Can I see a recently completed project of similar size, and can I talk to that homeowner without you in the room?
Quiet red flags
Vague scope. Pressure to sign quickly. Cash-only or "we'll figure out the contract later." Big upfront deposits with no work to point to. No physical office, no real references, no recent completed projects you can stand inside. A bid noticeably lower than every other bid you got. Any of these alone may be fine. Two or three together is a pattern.
If you want to see how we work, here's our process.